Researchers from Columbia University in New York City looked at the evidence in breast cancer patients. Continue reading Is it risky taking antioxidants during cancer treatment?
Category Archives: I. PROTEIN/ENZYMES
Short sleep duration and coronary artery calcification
Coronary artery calcification is the accumulation of calcified fatty deposits on the inside of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Their presence is a predictor of future coronary heart disease. Researchers from the University of Chicago in Illinois report that sleeping longer is associated with lower calcification.
Let’s review the research and reviews from 2008 that looked at CAM options to treat insomnia. Continue reading Short sleep duration and coronary artery calcification
CAM for migraine in children
Parents frequently ask healthcare professionals to provide “natural” migraine care for their children, says Dr. Stewart Tepper at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.
Here’s what we know… and more. Continue reading CAM for migraine in children
Herbals for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
Ms. Meenakshi Khatta is a nurse practitioner and associate professor at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Nurse Khatta has reviewed the use of CAM to treat pain due to musculoskeletal conditions.
Here are her findings on herbal supplements used to treat fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Continue reading Herbals for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
Dietary herbal supplements, such as black cohosh, have shown mixed and inconclusive results in placebo-controlled studies of menopausal symptoms.
Researchers from Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois compared black cohosh and red clover to hormone therapy for their effects on cognition (reasoning). Continue reading Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
Coenzyme Q predicts survival in heart failure
Researchers from New Zealand tell us, “Coenzyme Q10 deficiency might be detrimental to the long-term prognosis of congestive heart failure (CHF).” Continue reading Coenzyme Q predicts survival in heart failure
Key points about commonly used herbals
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio has written a continuing education article on herbals.
Here are the author’s take-away points, with additional references added. Continue reading Key points about commonly used herbals
Creatine’s effect on resistance training in patients with HIV
 Researchers from the University of California San Francisco studied whether creatine supplementation augments the effects of progressive resistance exercise training on muscle strength, energetics, and body composition. Continue reading Creatine’s effect on resistance training in patients with HIV
Bright light, melatonin, and dementia
Researchers from the Netherlands set about to determine whether the progressive changes in symptoms seen in dementia might be affected by the 2 major synchronizers of the circadian timing system: bright light and melatonin. Continue reading Bright light, melatonin, and dementia
Coenzyme Q10 fails in treatment of ALS
Dr. Petra Kaufmann (not in the photo) at Columbia University Medical Center, in New York reports that high-dose coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) is not promising enough to warrant further study as a treatment for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Continue reading Coenzyme Q10 fails in treatment of ALS
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
ConsumerLab tests Coenzyme Q10
Just 1 of 39 coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (ubiquinol) supplements tested contained levels lower than listed on the label.
But large variations in dose and forms may confuse consumers, according to ConsumerLab in their latest report. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests Coenzyme Q10
Most commonly used CAM in the US
Here’s a follow-up to earlier posts here, here, and here on the use of CAM in the US as surveyed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Continue reading Most commonly used CAM in the US
Most commonly used natural products
Here’s a follow-up to an earlier post on the use of CAM in the US in 2007 as surveyed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Continue reading Most commonly used natural products
Creatine supplementation in healthy young adults
 It reportedly improves certain aspects of cognitive (reasoning) and psychomotor function in older individuals and in young people following sleep deprivation, according to researchers at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.
But what about in healthy young people? Continue reading Creatine supplementation in healthy young adults
FDA warning on 2 weight loss products
A company called Fashion Sanctuary is removing from the market all Zhen De Shou Fat Loss Capsules sold in 10-count blister cards.
In addition, Balanced Health Products, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Starcaps Diet System Dietary Supplement sold in 30-capsule plastic bottles. Continue reading FDA warning on 2 weight loss products
CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies
The World Health Organization has predicted a 39% rise in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes by 2030. And an article in The Lancet indicates this might be an underestimation.
Since November is Diabetes Month, here’s a round-up of CAM options for people with diabetes from 2006 through March 2007.
Continue reading CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies
ConsumerLab tests melatonin supplements
Good news, all of the products tested passed the analyses for melatonin and lead contamination. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests melatonin supplements
FDA acts against papain
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered companies to stop marketing unapproved drug products that contain papain for topical application to the skin. Continue reading FDA acts against papain
Status of CAM to treat the frailty syndrome
There’s a need, but no well-documented evidence.
Researchers from the Miami VA Medical Center in Florida have complied a detailed review. Continue reading Status of CAM to treat the frailty syndrome