First lady, Michelle Obama tells us that drinking more water will improve the health of kids and all Americans.
Really? Here’s what we know. Continue reading Does water really improve health?
Category Archives: CAM Education
Consumers’ thoughts on pharmacists regarding complementary meds
Researchers at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide, explored consumer expectations, perceptions, and satisfaction of their pharmacist. Continue reading Consumers’ thoughts on pharmacists regarding complementary meds
Natural Products Foundation announces the NPF Scholarship Fund.
The NPF Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students committed to a career in the natural products industry.
The winner will demonstrate leadership potential and be enrolled in academic programs to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge of the industry. Continue reading Natural Products Foundation announces the NPF Scholarship Fund.
Relationship between functional foods and adherence to statins
It’s thought that people using functional foods with approved health claims may be less likely to adhere to prescribed drug therapy.
Researchers in The Netherlands assessed the influence of the use of phytosterol/-stanol-enriched functional foods on adherence to statin (cholesterol-lowering) therapy among patients initiating treatment. Continue reading Relationship between functional foods and adherence to statins
CAM Archive: Flawed study designs in acupuncture
A couple of years ago Prof. Ernst evaluated the risk of bias in studies of acupuncture that use the A + B versus B study design. Continue reading CAM Archive: Flawed study designs in acupuncture
Failure of a written action plan for children with asthma
Guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program stipulate that self-management for asthma should include a written action plan.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine, in Seattle, measured the association between a written action plan and asthma outcomes in inner-city children. Continue reading Failure of a written action plan for children with asthma
Herbals for weight loss: Counseling by pharmacists and nonpharmacists
Researchers at Midwestern University, in Glendale, Arizona, assessed the extent of appropriate counseling provided by pharmacists and nonpharmacists in retail settings. Continue reading Herbals for weight loss: Counseling by pharmacists and nonpharmacists
Physicians rate acupuncture for pain management
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, collected information from pain physicians and referral physicians who manage the care of patients in pain. Continue reading Physicians rate acupuncture for pain management
Use of herbal supplements by people taking blood thinners
During the American Heart Association meeting, Dr. Jennifer Strohecker, at the Intermountain Medical Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah, reported that documentation of supplement use in the medical chart is poor. Continue reading Use of herbal supplements by people taking blood thinners
A checklist for higher quality CAM studies
Researchers from Taiwan observed inconsistencies in the results of massage therapy studies. In this article, they list the issues in study design that have plagued past studies.
No CAM researchers should be permitted to conduct research until they memorize this list and apply it to their studies. Continue reading A checklist for higher quality CAM studies
What do chiropractic students think about evidence-based medicine
Researchers at Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, Iowa, conducted an international survey.
Eidence-based medicine (practice) is an approach to healthcare that aims to apply the best available evidence based on the scientific studies to clinical decision making. Continue reading What do chiropractic students think about evidence-based medicine
The value of the consultation in treating cardiovascular disease
Research from California and Iowa support the value of added time with a qualified healthcare professional. Continue reading The value of the consultation in treating cardiovascular disease
New recommendations for salt intake for Americans
Here’s the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. It tells us, “Americans consume excessive amounts of sodium and insufficient amounts of potassium.”
Their latest recommendations follow. Continue reading New recommendations for salt intake for Americans
Do you trust advice from your local supplements sales clerk?
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) presented to congress the results of a “secret shopper” investigation, which found that in some stores, salespeople made inappropriate or illegal claims about dietary supplements.
What to do? Continue reading Do you trust advice from your local supplements sales clerk?
Survey of American medical students about CAM
Researchers from several US medical schools surveyed the students. Continue reading Survey of American medical students about CAM
Acupuncturists treating cancer patients need extra education
That’s the recommendation from Dr. Barrie Cassileth, who is chief of the integrative medicine service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Highlights from the Medscape interview are listed below. Continue reading Acupuncturists treating cancer patients need extra education
Effectiveness of patient education on pain and anxiety
Researchers at The University of Hong Kong, in China, studied the effectiveness of pain management education in people with musculoskeletal trauma that required orthopedic surgery. Continue reading Effectiveness of patient education on pain and anxiety
Sad state of CAM education in Wales’ medical schools
Despite recommendations that CAM be offered to medical students in Wales, little is offered.
Here’s what we know.
Continue reading Sad state of CAM education in Wales’ medical schools
UK doctors rate their knowledge of herbal medicines
Here are the results of the British Medical Journal survey.
88% of respondents came from the UK, with the rest coming from 10 countries. Continue reading UK doctors rate their knowledge of herbal medicines
Nutracon coming to Anaheim
Nutracon is an education and networking conference for the health and nutrition industry. I attended a meeting several years ago and found it worthwhile.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 10 and 11 in Anaheim, California.
Here’s a sample of the agenda. Continue reading Nutracon coming to Anaheim