Here are highlights from the 2006 conference of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in New Orleans.
Writing in Medscape, Dr. Peter Kovacs from the Kaali Institute IVF Center in Budapest and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York says, “Increasing numbers of patients ask about and/or turn to alternative medical solutions when traditional medicine fails.”
With respect to 2 studies of acupuncture?
Continue reading Update: Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization
Remote access to patients with chronic heart failure (by telephone or telemonitoring) has a positive effect on health and wellbeing.
Researchers from Australia and Canada reviewed 14 studies of remote monitoring in more than 4000 patients.
Here are the results. Continue reading Using the telephone in place of clinic or home visits
According to 2 studies summarized earlier, modifying the dietary intake of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids during early childhood does not change the risk of getting asthma later on.
Now, we have a study of fish, butter, and margarine consumption during pregnancy and development of allergy in the offspring.
Continue reading Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
Infant formulas are designed to lower the chances of developing allergy or food intolerance.
But do they?
Continue reading Soy formula vs cow’s milk formula to reduce allergies in infants and children
An earlier entry cautioned about being overly enthusiastic about dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a miracle supplement. Now, we have evidence that it lacks any measurable anti-aging effect.
Dana Ullman (website here) disputes my statement in a recent post that there’s a dearth of evidence-based data in support of homeopathy. He suggested I review 3 articles on the treatment of childhood diarrhea.
Here’s my analysis of the meta-analysis.
Continue reading Homeopathic treatment of diarrhea in children
An article in The Journal of the American Medical Association reports, “Efforts to increase or maintain free-living activity energy expenditure will likely improve the health of older adults.”
They actually correlate calories burned with longevity.
Continue reading Physical activity and longevity in the elderly
Researchers from the department of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter in the UK evaluated the results of 91 studies.
Here are the their findings where more than one study was available.
Continue reading A review of homeopathy for childhood and adolescence ailments
Using soy foods to replace foods high in animal protein that contain fat and cholesterol might help improve cholesterol levels and confer benefits to cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women.
Lipids Online has a good summary of a study just published in the journal, Menopause.
Continue reading Soy protein improves cholesterol in postmenopausal women
In one California fertility clinic acupuncture is standard therapy for 85% of women. Now, three clinical trials published this year report an improved rate of pregnancy among women undergoing in vitro fertilization and acupuncture.
There’s really not enough evidence to be certain of the risk to benefit ratio in elderly patients. But what is known is summarized in a Cochrane review.
Continue reading Should older hospitalized patients participate in exercise programs?
Everybody is covering this story, but here are the essential details.
Continue reading Trans fatty acid increases the risk of infertility
Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome caused by the brain’s inability to accurately interpret pain sensations due to the presence of psychosocial and behavioral factors. About 3.7 million adult Americans are afflicted. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men may also be affected.
Because of these psychosocial and behavioral factors, complementary treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are recommended here and here to optimize treatment.
Continue reading Cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia
Capsicum (Cayenne) is a category of plants used as spices, vegetables, and medicines. Think chili pepper, red or green pepper, bell pepper, and paprika.
In this study, capsicum plaster was applied at a classical Chinese acupoint to lessen pain in infants and children following surgery.
Continue reading Capsicum plaster to control pain following inguinal hernia repair in children
Winner: If you can stick a pin in it, researchers are eager to study acupuncture.
Loser: Not only doesn’t it work, but governments all over the world are piling on black cohosh.
Continue reading The biggest loser in CAM for 2006
The results of the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study were summarized here recently.
Now, Dr. Sally Shumaker, professor of public health sciences and associate dean for research at Wake Forest University Medical School, writes about the study’s implications in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Continue reading Opportunities for memory training and non-drug treatments to slow dementia
The message couldn’t be clearer.
Yet, somebody in The Vancouver Compassion Society thought it was a good idea to conduct a study of marijuana smoking to treat morning sickness.
Here are the results of a study in 301 women experiencing climacteric complaints with psychological symptoms.
The women were treated with black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) extracts, or a placebo for 16 weeks.
The results
Continue reading Black cohosh and St. John’s wort in women during the climacteric
The FDA is cracking down on companies that sell quinine-containing products such as Qualaquin for non-approved uses. Their concern is over the risks of quinine to treat leg cramps.
What’s the risk?
Continue reading FDA warns against using quinine to treat leg cramps. Options, please?