The American Chiropractic Association reported “The US House of Representatives has approved a directive that orders the Pentagon to make chiropractic care a standard benefit for all active-duty military personnel.” Continue reading Chiropractic and the Pentagon
Category Archives: THINGS THAT DON’T FIT ABOVE
FDA wants to establish offices inside China and India
Asia Food Journal reports that the US Food and Drug Administration has received approval from the US State Department to establish 8 full-time FDA positions at US diplomatic posts in the People’s Republic of China.
All this is depends on authorization from the Chinese government. Continue reading FDA wants to establish offices inside China and India
Barbers Against Prostate Cancer
In addition to cutting hair, barbers once performed surgery (blood letting) and dentistry. Today, they’re making a comeback as lay prostate educators.
Medscape reports on an abstract presented by researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida during the Cancer, Culture & Literacy Conference. Continue reading Barbers Against Prostate Cancer
Thoughts on CAM from Czech pharmacy students
Pharmacy students at Charles University in Prague, The Czech Republic were surveyed for their views of CAM. Continue reading Thoughts on CAM from Czech pharmacy students
St. John’s wort drug interactions
In a pharmacy continuing education newsletter (InetCE 221-999-05-056-H01), Dr. Mary Chavez states, “St. John’s wort is the most studied herbal, and has the most evidence for significant interactions with medications.”
From her article, documented herbal-drug interactions based on reliable case reports, case series, or clinical investigations are presented below. I listed only generic drug names. A useful link to identify brand names from generic names is found here. Dr. Chavez includes more detailed information in the newsletter.
Everybody wants to certify dietary supplements
Will different certification programs and seals of approval help consumers select the highest quality supplements or just add to the confusion?
We probably won’t know for a while. In the mean time, here are three players in the field.
Continue reading Everybody wants to certify dietary supplements
Effects of qigong on stress among computer operators
This study suggests, “Qigong [chee-kung] exercise may reduce stress [associated with] computerized work.” Continue reading Effects of qigong on stress among computer operators
Natural Products seal of approval
Debra Short, president of the Natural Products Association, tells us “People want natural products because they are good for them and good for our environment.”
Blah, blah, blah.
But a reader comments and links to a good blog on the topic.
Judging organic food based on miles to grocery store
A study from the University of Alberta concluded that the environmental impact of food-miles racked up by organic produce when making the trip from farm to grocery store cancels out the benefits of growing it according to organic principals. Continue reading Judging organic food based on miles to grocery store
Internet monitoring and education in asthmatic children
According to researchers from Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, the children had “excellent asthma treatment and disease control.”
Here are the details.
Continue reading Internet monitoring and education in asthmatic children
Rantings from a burned out resident
Panda Bear is a blog maintained by an emergency department resident physician. His views on CAM make Dr. Wallace Sampson seem like a believer.
Caution: You are about to enter a stomach-wrenching zone. Continue reading Rantings from a burned out resident
Meeting highlights
ttmed reports on the 2nd International Conference on Hypertension, Lipids, Diabetes and Stroke Prevention in Prague.
Here are the CAM highlights. Continue reading Meeting highlights
Wolfsbane: Uses, risks, and admonitions
“The wolfsbane I should dread;
Nor will I dreary rosemarye,
That always mourns the dead;
But I will woo the dainty rose,
With her cheeks of tender red.” …Thomas Hood
Wolfsbane (Aconitum napellus, aconite, monkshood) is sometimes included in herbal remedies to treat inflammation, pain, musculoskeletal problems (eg arthritis), and heart problems. Continue reading Wolfsbane: Uses, risks, and admonitions
Going to court over the lead content in Ayurvedic meds
A woman from Iowa has filed a lawsuit claiming she contracted lead poisoning from a Maharishi herbal product.
She apparently got it from a physician at a clinic in India.
A reader treated by the same doctor at the same clinic had a different experience and shares it in his comment.
Continue reading Going to court over the lead content in Ayurvedic meds
Closing homeopathic hospitals in the UK
Here’s the latest on the controversy over homeopathy in the UK. Continue reading Closing homeopathic hospitals in the UK
CAM: Is it good or bad for ya?
Professor Edzard Ernst (photo) from the Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth UK has published an editorial in the British Medical Journal.
He sums up the state of the debate and makes a few surprising comments. Continue reading CAM: Is it good or bad for ya?
Consumer alert: 12 dietary herbal supplements
Caught in the act by the FDA, Herbal Science International, Inc. (aka Jen-On Herbal Science International, Inc.) is recalling 12 dietary supplements that contain ephedra, aristolochic acid, or human placenta.
Human placenta! Continue reading Consumer alert: 12 dietary herbal supplements
Consumer alert: “Total Body Formula” and “Mega Formula”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises not to purchase or consume Total Body Formula in the flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, or Total Body Mega Formula in the Orange/Tangerine flavor.
There are 43 reports of people in 9 states who experienced serious adverse reactions. Continue reading Consumer alert: “Total Body Formula” and “Mega Formula”
Ashwagandha causes errors in measured digoxin blood levels
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera; winter cherry) belongs to the pepper family. The root is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory agent, and astringent.
People taking digoxin (Lanoxin) should be forewarned that tests to measure digoxin blood levels could be affected by the concurrent use of Ashwagandha, according to a study by researchers from the University of Texas, Houston. Continue reading Ashwagandha causes errors in measured digoxin blood levels
Consumer alert: Blue Steel and Hero products
In the ongoing game of catch me if you can, these products have been caught. Continue reading Consumer alert: Blue Steel and Hero products