In the British Medical Journal, Prof. Patrick Woo from the University of Hong Kong describes what might be “the tip of the iceberg.”
He calls for more rigorous infection control guidelines. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine responds. And success in treating these infections is summarized as part of an update to this original post. Continue reading Rising risk of infection from acupuncture
Glycyrrhizin is a major ingredient of licorice, which is sometimes used in the treatment of various diseases such as chronic hepatitis.
In animals, licorice or glycyrrhizin alters the activity of the CYP3A drug-metabolizing enzyme. Researchers at Central South University, in Hunan, People’s Republic of China looked for an effect in people. Continue reading Potential for licorice-drug interactions
FDA lab analysis of X-Hero found the product contains sulfosildenafil, the analogue of the active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug (sildenafil, Viagra, Revatio) used to treat erectile dysfunction.
In addition, FDA analysis of Male Enhancer found it contains tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca), the active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Continue reading Consumer Alert: X-Hero and Male Enhancer
Researchers at the University of Vermont, in Burlington, compared 3 different options. Continue reading Improving effectiveness of tai chi to prevent falls
The benefits of 2 self-help training programs (multimodal cognitive-behavioral training [CBT] and applied relaxation [AR]) presented via the Internet were compared by researchers from the University of Göttingen, in Germany. Continue reading Using the Internet to manage headache in children
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
Researchers at the University at Albany, State University of New York report the prevalence of addiction to indoor tanning among college students and its association with substance use and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Continue reading Tanorexic: Signs and symptoms of addiction to indoor tanning
Ask about the grapefruit/drug interaction and most people think of the increased blood levels of statins when grapefruit is eaten before taking a dose.
Now, Dr. David Bailey at the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario, has reviewed fruit juice interactions that result in lower drug blood levels. Continue reading Lowering drug blood levels with grapefruit juice: When’s it significant?
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, in the UK, investigated the prevalence of herbal medicine use among cancer patients in the West Midlands — a metropolitan county in western central England. Continue reading Use of CAM by people with cancer
Real and hypothetical concerns exist.
Dr. Mark Moyad (photo), who is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, puts it into perspective. Continue reading Do we overhype drug-supplement interactions?
Lifestyle changes may reduce cardiovascular risk and the risk of diabetes mellitus.
Researchers at Umea University in Sweden studied the long term cost-effectiveness of a lifestyle educational program. Continue reading Cost-effectiveness of lifestyle changes in diabetes patients
Using herbal/Ayurvedic medicine may lead to plumbism as heavy metals are often incorporated in such medications with the belief that the metals have medicinal properties.
Researchers at Maulana Azad Medical College, in Delhi, India, report the experience of 1 patient. Continue reading Lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic drug treatment in India
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
Researchers at The University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, developed an Internet-based exercise and behavioral self-management program to complement routine care for fibromyalgia. Continue reading Using the Internet to help manage fibromyalgia
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago tell us, “Motivating patients with heart failure to adhere to medical advice has not translated into clinical benefit.”
They think past studies were flawed. So, in this study, they studied the value of self-management counseling + heart failure education, compared with heart failure education alone. Continue reading Failure of self-managment couseling in heart failure patients
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
Aliskiren (Tekturna) is used to treat high blood pressure. It’s poorly absorbed from the intestines (about 2.5%).
Researchers at Helsinki University Central Hospital, in Finland, report that apple and orange juice further reduce the amount that gets absorbed from the intestines. Continue reading Interaction between aliskiren and fruit juice
Shengmai-yin (Sheng Mai Yin Pian) is a concentrated Chinese herbal medicine used to “treat a deficiency of vital energy and Yin, palpitation and shortness of breath, faint pulse, and spontaneous perspiration,” according to ActiveHerb.com.
Researchers at Zhejiang University, in Hangzhou, China report a patient who appeared to suffer from an interaction with warfarin (Coumadin). Continue reading Interaction between Shengmai-yin and warfarin
Prof. Ernst sees encouraging evidence for some treatments.
But does it matter? Continue reading CAM use among US adolescents
It’s suggested that honey may stimulate the CYP3A enzyme, and this might alter the metabolism of drugs.
Researchers in Germany studied the effect of repeated honey administration on human CYP3A enzyme activity using the benzodiazepine drug midazolam (Versed). Continue reading No effect of honey on intestinal and hepatic CYP3A