In an earlier post, women complained that they did not know the proper dose of soy-containing products to treat the symptoms of menopause, and had low confidence in the ability of healthcare professionals to provide this information.
Maybe now we know why.
Soy reportedly lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol blood levels a little, while the data on probiotics are mixed.
Would it help to combine them? Here’s a study that tries. Continue reading Soy plus probiotic/prebiotic to lower cholesterol levels
The Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study reports “Panic attacks are relatively common among postmenopausal women and appear to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in older women.”
Let’s review the study and then the CAM connection. Continue reading The health risks of panic attacks in postmenopausal women and CAM options
It has been reported in 3 people. Continue reading Acute liver disease associated with taking aloe vera by mouth
Almost all supplements tested in this study contained measurable amounts of genistein and/or daidzein — known estrogenic agents. Continue reading Contaminated botanicals and dietary supplements
Anael L’Esperance-Nascimento (photo) is the little boy from Quebec whose parents refused a second round of chemotherapy for his brain and spinal cord tumors. Instead, Anael will be treated at the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida.
The intent of this post is to review wheatgrass, “an integral part” of the Hippocrates treatment. Continue reading Anael, his tumors, and the Hippocrates Health Institute
In patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis — conditions characterized by weakness and swelling of limb and neck muscles — taking creatine supplements enhanced the benefit of exercise. Continue reading Benefits from creatine reported outside sports medicine
Horny goat weed, also known as epimedium and yin yan huo, is a source of phytoestrogens.
Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong report success using epimedium to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. Continue reading Horny goat weed to prevent bone loss during late postmenopause
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released its biennial revision of “the yellow book,” a health guide for international travel.
It’s comprehensive. The focus here is on Chapter 6: Jet Lag. Continue reading CDC reviews CAM options to minimize jet lag
In 2003, Professor Edzard Ernst writing on the Cochrane Collaboration website concluded, “Compared with placebo, kava extract is an effective symptomatic treatment for anxiety although, at present, the size of the effect seems small.” Continue reading A critical review of herbals to treat anxiety and depression
Patients with the highest risk for sleep disturbance are those with pain, mental illness, limited activity, and overall “poor physical and mental health.” Continue reading What to do about the high prevalence of insomnia
In 2002, the Parkinson Study Group reported that CoQ10 (coenzyme Q 10) slowed deterioration in patients with early Parkinson’s disease even though it failed to postpone the start of levodopa (Dopar) treatment.
Now, a study in patients with midstage Parkinson’s disease without changes on muscle function and control reports disappointing results. Continue reading New study disputes the value of CoQ10 to treat Parkinson’s disease
The Zoft Gum Company, which makes several herbal supplement chewing gums (eg, breast enlargement, weight reduction) has introduced a new gum to help manage the symptoms of menopause.
There are no studies of this gum for treating menopausal symptoms in women. And the discussion of the gum’s ingredients on the Zoft website is misleading.
This summary should provide balance. Continue reading Zoft Menopause Gum
A news release promotes this product as a “natural cholesterol supplement [that is] effective without side effects.”
And on the LipidShield website there is an unpublished study in 30 men and women to prove it. Continue reading LipidShield: The rest of the story
The former produces skin inflammation and muscle weakness. People with the later condition get weakness of limb and neck muscles, with muscle pain and swelling. Continue reading Using creatine to treat dermatomyositis and polymyositis
I received some emails promoting Nature Made CholestOff. It contains plant extracts called phytonutrients, specifically phytosterols and phytostanols. They work by reducing the absorption of LDL “bad” cholesterol and total cholesterol from the intestines.
The ad emphasizes a 24% reduction in LDL cholesterol when combined with diet and exercise. However… Continue reading CholestOff reduces cholesterol, but not as much as advertised
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna reviewed and reanalyzed the results from 25 studies of the treatment of the climacteric syndrome (menopause).
Their findings are not always clear-cut. Continue reading The value of phytoestrogens during menopause
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.
Quercetin (kwur’-si-tin) is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant in red wine, red apples, green tea, and broccoli.
The average person consumes 25 to 50 mg of quercetin a day. In this double-blind study, 20 cyclists took 1,000 mg of quercetin a day or placebo for five weeks.
Continue reading Using quercetin to reduce illness and maintain mental performance
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
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