Early on in this blog I defined terms used in clinical trials, including the “meta-analysis,” — a favorite statistical method that groups the results from the small studies that typify CAM research in order to arrive at more reliable conclusions on effectiveness.
As part of the growing recognition that CAM is here to stay, opinion leaders in the allopathic community are beginning to seriously debate the value of alternative methods to assess the value of CAM.
Taking a specific dose of calcium in the absence of a specific dose of vitamin D reduced the risk of fractures in healthy individuals, according to researchers at Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Continue reading Calcium lowers the risk of fractures
At the Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (SLEEP 2008), researchers from Brazil reported that late night snacking has an effect on sleep patterns. Continue reading Late night noshing and sleep patterns
You guessed it.
The risk is lower among those who follow the traditional Mediterranean diet — rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, legumes, and fish but relatively low in meat and dairy products, according to researchers in Spain. Continue reading Mediterranean diet and diabetes risk
“People should not routinely be recommended to take plant sterols and stanols for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).”
That’s the word from the London-based National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Continue reading NICE says no to cholesterol-cutting foods
Researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine in China searched the medical literature to find out. Continue reading Is acupuncture beneficial in depression?
Resistance to antibiotics by bacteria is on the rise, both in the hospital and in the community. Could it be that herbals might increase the effectiveness of antibiotics?
This lab study suggests it’s possible.
Continue reading Using herbals to increase the activity of antibiotics
Researchers from the University of Evora in Portugal studied the effects of 8 months of supervised exercise therapy in warm water on physical and mental health and physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia. Continue reading Effects of warm water exercise on fibromyalgia
I try to avoid jargon when blogging, but sometimes it’s necessary in order to present the results of clinical trials and their implications clearly.
Continue reading Understanding the jargon of medical research
Apples are often described as a healthy food. But what’s the association with protection from cancer? Continue reading Apples and cancer risk
Coffee is a complex mixture of more than 1,000 compounds, some of which are linked to good and others to bad effects on human health.
Among the good stuff is soluble dietary fiber, according to an article in Science Daily.
A cup of ginger tea might settle an upset stomach, but little is known about how it actually works. Continue reading How might ginger settle your stomach?
The premise for the motor control approach is that simple functional exercise alone does not re-establish coordination of the trunk muscles. Continue reading Motor control exercise for chronic back pain
Beliefnet lists 9 forms of massage. How many can you name? Continue reading Massage for what ails ya
The results of this study have public health implications because the tuberculosis (TB) skin test is central to the problematic area of diagnosing TB infection and disease — especially in children prone to both zinc deficiency and false-negative skin-test results.
The zinc-mediated augmentation of TB skin testing may facilitate the diagnosis of adult and pediatric cases of TB in regions where micronutrient deficiency is prevalent. Continue reading Zinc cream to improve reliability of tuberculosis test
Spirituality is part of a strategy to counter the dehumanizing effects of technological medicine and provide more compassionate and holistic care. In earlier posts the work of Dr. Christina Puchalski regarding the physician’s role in the spiritual care of patients was discussed.
But how does spirituality differ from religion? The former is a personal quest for answers to the ultimate questions about life. The latter is an organized system of beliefs, practices, and symbols designed to facilitate closeness to a higher power.
TUFT|ebcam has more on spirituality and religion in medicine here.
7/22/06 19:15 JR
In children, St John’s Wort (H. perforatum) did not improve symptoms. Continue reading St John’s Wort in ADHD
Among other things, yoga improved exercise tolerance, according to this study from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Continue reading Yoga benefits in heart failure reported
Slow walking speed is a strong predictor of increased risk of incident ischemic stroke among postmenopausal women, according to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Continue reading Walking speed and the risk of stroke
In the largest unselected, population-based study on this topic to date, researchers from Finland observed “Cannabis use is associated with prodromal symptoms of psychosis in adolescence.” Continue reading Cannabis and psychosis in adolescence