 During the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers from Oregon Health & Sciences University, in Portland reported that the benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 essential fatty acid, were influenced by a patient’s genetic makeup. Continue reading DHA effective in some people with Alzheimer’s disease
Category Archives: THINGS THAT DON’T FIT ABOVE
Opportunities for CAM in healthcare reform
 Dr. Mark Hyman is Editor-in-Chief of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, a professional journal on integrative medicine and alternative medicine.
Here are his recommendations for any healthcare reform proposal being considered by lawmakers in Washington. Continue reading Opportunities for CAM in healthcare reform
Interaction between grapefruit juice and verapamil
From the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, in Missouri comes this report of an unusual case of verapamil (Calan SR) toxicity. Continue reading Interaction between grapefruit juice and verapamil
Consumer Alert: Drugs that “boost” libido
The FDA has told Nature & Health Co. to take its supplements, which are sold to treat impotence (erectile dysfunction), off the market. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Drugs that “boost” libido
Report of a valerian-lorazepam drug interaction
 Here’s a report from Spain of a patient who self-medicated with valerian (Valeriana officinalis L) and passionflower (Passiflora incarnata L) while taking lorazepam (Ativan, a benzodiazepine drug). Continue reading Report of a valerian-lorazepam drug interaction
Placebo as CAM in mainstream medicine
 Despite what we hear about the importance of evidence-based medicine, about half of the doctors in this survey say they prescribe placebo treatments “on a regular basis.” Continue reading Placebo as CAM in mainstream medicine
Consumer Alert: Hardcore Energize Bullet and New Whey
The US Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use Hardcore Energize Bullet (photo) or New Whey liquid products due to suspected product tampering.
The products are sold in small test tube-like vials. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Hardcore Energize Bullet and New Whey
Top 10 reasons to ignore BMI
 A Belgian mathematician named Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet (photo) introduced the body mass index (BMI) in the early 19th century. Continue reading Top 10 reasons to ignore BMI
Herbals and lead levels in Americans
The relationship between supplements and lead levels in blood has been an ongoing project for researchers in Boston.
In this study, researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center report specific herbal supplements are associated with higher blood lead levels among women. Continue reading Herbals and lead levels in Americans
Selenium, genetics, and aggressive prostate cancer
Genetics appear to influence the risk of aggressive prostate cancer in men taking selenium supplements, according to collaborators at cancer centers across the US. Continue reading Selenium, genetics, and aggressive prostate cancer
A pharmacogenomic-CAM connection in diabetes
Dr. Andrew Levy from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa makes the case for a new pharmacogenomic blood test that can be used to identify diabetes patients at highest risk for cardiovascular disease.
Presently, medical costs of treating cardiovascular complications of diabetes are more than $100 billion per year in the US. Continue reading A pharmacogenomic-CAM connection in diabetes
Chewing gum aids bowel motility after caesarean
 Researchers from Ain Shams University, in Cairo, Egypt report it’s safe, well tolerated, and associated with rapid resumption of intestinal motility and shorter hospital stay. Continue reading Chewing gum aids bowel motility after caesarean
Consumer Alert: Stamina-Rx
FDA is removing a product sold under the name Stamina-Rx off the market. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Stamina-Rx
Cannabis to treat H1N1 swine flu symptoms?
 Perhaps you’ve heard that a company called Cannabis Science Inc. has offered Homeland Security Administration (HSA) Secretary Janet Napolitano to produce 1 million doses of its whole-cannabis lozenge, and provide them to HSA for distribution at cost. Continue reading Cannabis to treat H1N1 swine flu symptoms?
Medical residents don’t know dietary supplements
That’s the result from a survey of internal medicine residency programs in the US. Continue reading Medical residents don’t know dietary supplements
Naturopaths wanted
 The University of Toronto and The Centre for Innovation and Complex Care are conducting an online research study and need your views and ideas concerning pediatric immunization and the potential of communicating information about immunization in Second Life.
Interested? More information is here.
Contact Leslie Beard at the University of Toronto.
Making “fast food” healthy
 Burger King is promoting 3 new meal combinations as part of its BK Kids Meal options. Continue reading Making “fast food” healthy
Healthcare activities on “Second Life” reported
 Researchers in Canada found a wide array of health-related activity in the 3 dimensional virtual world of Second Life. Continue reading Healthcare activities on “Second Life” reported
Nursing School Search rates top 50 homeopathy blogs
And guess what?
In the category of “Homeopathy and Alternative Medicine,” The C.A.M. Report ranked 3rd. Continue reading Nursing School Search rates top 50 homeopathy blogs
Time for the soda tax?
 According to the Wall Street Journal, government officials are considering different public-health efforts to help people curb the weight problem. Continue reading Time for the soda tax?