Also known as Maypop (Passiflora incarnata), the purple passionflower has antianxiety and sedative effects.
Most studies of Passiflora incarnata have been in animals. Here’s a study in humans. Continue reading Treating anxiety before surgery with passionflower
A case of pancreatitis in a 55-year-old man with alcoholism who had been sober for more than 15 years was published in the Southern Medical Journal. The authors make a circumstantial case for his ongoing use of saw palmetto and the occurrence of pancreatitis.
About 4% of Americans (about 7.4 million people) have used yoga in the past year, according to survey results from more than 2000 people conducted by the department of medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Here is a profile of the typical yogi.
Farm-raised tilapia, one of the most highly consumed fish in America, has very low levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and, perhaps worse, very high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, according to research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Catfish rate poorly too. Continue reading Tilapia: low in omega-3, high in omega-6 fatty acids
Dietary sources of flavonoids in Western societies include onions (flavonols); cocoa (proanthocyanidins); tea, apples, and red wine (flavonols and catechins); citrus fruit (flavanones); berries and cherries (anthocyanidins); and soy (isoflavones).
Here’s how far we’ve come. Continue reading Historical perspective on flavonoids
A pram is a baby carriage and an abbreviation of “perambulator” — a person who tours on foot.
Anyway, pram walking is popular in Australia as a way for groups of women with postpartum depression to go out with their babies, get some exercise, talk, and hopefully make progress to resolve their depression. Continue reading Pram walking to treat postpartum depression
Recently, the use of tegaserod (Zelnorm) and alosetron (Lotronex) to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was restricted because of adverse events.
Here’s what we know about probiotics for the relief of symptoms of IBS. Continue reading A review of probiotics to treat IBS
Prof. Craig Whittington from the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health in London has reviewed the value of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat children and adolescents with mental health problems. Continue reading The value of CBT in children and adolescence
During the past 6 months there has been a significant increase in the readership of this site and in the number of people who signed up for weekly emails. Thanks.
Therefore, a brief review of my modus operandi is in order. Continue reading The M. O. for posting in The CAM Report
Researchers from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP in Brazil report that acupuncture was useful for improving movement, reducing lymphoedema (swelling and accumulation of lymph around the lymph nodes), and reducing heaviness and tightness in the upper arm of patients with breast cancer. Continue reading Acupuncture and breast cancer rehabilitation
Unlike other studies that look at the effect of religion on individuals, this study looked the effect on communities.
Here are the conclusions from researchers at several US universities. The details are limited to what’s available on the LSU website. A reader’s comment, and follow-up by me make it worthwhile reading. And don’t miss the zombie link. Continue reading Effects of religious congregations on mortality
It turns out that Australia has one of the highest rates of allergic disease (hay fever, asthma, hives) in the world.
So, Australian Family Physician reviewed current recommendations. Continue reading Allergy prevention in children
Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that psychosocial factors, such as cynical distrust, chronic stress, and depression are associated with higher blood levels of C-reactive protein (associated with acute inflammatory reactions), interleukin-6 (stimulates an immune response to tissue damage), and fibrinogen (causes blood to clot).
All are related to an increased risk of heart disease.
What can we do about this?
Continue reading Stress, heart disease, and what to do about it
Cannabis use should be discouraged in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), according to researchers in France.
First, the details.
And, the results.
There were 6 predictors of marked steatosis (accumulation of fat in the liver).
The bottom line?
Steatosis is important because a build up of fat in the liver worsens liver damage and makes CHC harder to treat.
The authors concluded that daily cannabis smoking is a “predictor of steatosis severity during CHC.” And they recommend that “cannabis use should be discouraged in patients with CHC.”
Among the 6 predictors of steatosis reported in this study, marijuana use is a comparatively easy risk factor to modify and thereby reduce the severity of this disease.
7/6/08 11:05 JR
Dr Alfred Tomatis developed a technique using modified music to stimulate connections between the ear and the nervous system in order to affect aspects of human development and behavior.
His research suggested that the hearing of many people with autism is severely sensitized to the point that even normal classroom noises are painful and disorienting.
But, is it worth the effort? Continue reading The Tomatis Method in autism
The National Cancer Institute offers an educational program called “Education in Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Oncology.” The CD-Rom was developed specifically for clinicians caring for persons with cancer.
Medscape has published an excerpt. Continue reading The last hours of living
Selenium is a simple, inexpensive, and safe adjunct therapy in HIV spectrum disease.
That’s the conclusion from a study from the University of Miami.
Here’s the study.
Continue reading Positive effects of selenium in patients with HIV
Researchers from the Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan examined the relationship between soy isoflavone and the risk of cedar pollinosis (hay fever) — the most common seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan. Continue reading Soy and the risk of hay fever
Respiratory muscle strengthening programs are either inspiratory or expiratory and typically use handheld devices.
Dr. Christine Sapienza from the University of Florida in Gainesville tells us if it makes a difference. Continue reading Respiratory muscle strength training
Americans don’t meet the current fiber recommendations. The daily fiber intake by average Americans is 14 to 15 grams.
This is less than the American Dietetic Association recommended of 20 to 35 grams for adults, 25 grams for girls ages 9 through 18 years and 31 to 38 grams for boys ages 9 through 18. The American Heart Association recommends 25 to 30 g daily.