The products were purported to contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). You can buy the full report here, or MSNBC gives a glimpse of the findings here.
Two products exposed include Nature’s Plus Ultra Maximum Strength Chondroitin 600 for people and Nutri-Vet Nutritionals Hip and Joint Soft Chews for dogs. Continue reading ConsumerLab flunks 8 of 38 bone health products
Dr. Tod Cooperman, who is president of the third-party product analysis company, ConsumerLab, states that one in 4 products tested by his company is problematic in one way or another, and more than half of multivitamins tested do not meet what is printed on the labels.
So, which companies reliably provide quality products? Continue reading Which brands of herbals and supplements should you trust?
Magnesium sulfate is given to prevent seizures in pregnant women with preeclampsia (high blood pressure, edema, and protein in the urine) and to inhibit preterm labor.
This Medscape report from the meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine states that injections of magnesium sulfate may protect against moderate to severe cerebral palsy. Continue reading Reducing the risk of cerebral palsy with magnesium
From the American Psychological Association website, here’s a summary of their view of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and insomnia.
Common misconceptions regarding sleep…
It also increases the likelihood of live births when used with embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization, according to this latest review of the medical literature. Continue reading Acupuncture improves the rate of pregnancy
A study presented during the European Congress of Rheumatology in Barcelona concluded, “Patients affected with severe rheumatoid arthritis found pain relief after taking rose-hips for 6 months.” Continue reading Rose-hips for treating rheumatoid arthritis
Alcohol-based hand rubbing removes microorganisms more effectively than hand washing with soap or other antiseptic agents and water. Furthermore, bedside alcohol-based solutions increase compliance with hand hygiene among healthcare workers.”
OK, but does it lower infections on cruise ships?
Continue reading Alcohol-based hand cleansers on your next cruise
A review of 19 studies involving more than 2800 healthy children concluded that calcium supplementation is unlikely to reduce the risk of fracture, either in childhood or later life.
What should we make of this finding when we all know how important calcium is to making strong bones?
Continue reading Calcium supplements of little benefit to children
Placebo-controlled trials document the effectiveness of butterbur to treat the runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and irritation in the nose, eyes, throat and ears associated with allergic rhinitis. It’s as effective as two widely used prescription drugs.
Continue reading Can you commit to butterbur?
There’s lots of interest in reducing the risk of falls in the elderly. But what are the signs that grandma is at significant risk?
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia have complied a list. Continue reading The risk of falling among the elderly
In older adults with high blood pressure, each 20 mmHg increase in systolic (first number) pressure doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Replacing non-soy protein with soy protein in the diet lowers this risk.
Here’s how. Continue reading Lowering your blood pressure with soy nuts
Periodontal disease is a gum disease (such as periodontitis or gingivitis) that, if untreated, inflames and eventually destroys the bone and tissues that support and anchor the teeth.
Cannabis smoking is a risk factor for periodontal disease, according to this study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Continue reading Periodontal disease in kids who smoke pot
Researchers at Wonkwang University in Iksan, South Korea report it’s not better than placebo.
But they’re still optimistic. Continue reading Acupuncture to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms
Suxiao jiuxin wan is a mixture of herbs that is used in China along with western medicine to treat angina.
This Cochrane review concluded that the evidence does not support its use. Continue reading A review of suxiao jiuxin wan as treatment for angina pectoris
Research from Emory University in Atlanta indicates that patients with HIV/AIDS might be using CAM as an alternative to highly active anti-retroviral (HAART) HIV/AIDS treatment regimens.
At least among Black women in Alabama and Georgia. Continue reading CAM: Complementary or alternative treatment for HIV/AIDS?
The journal Postgraduate Medicine has a good review article on whiplash. Although it is dated (published in 2001), healthcare professionals and other humans should find it informative.
The most interesting statement in light of an earlier post on this site regarding the intensity of care and recovery is the following.
Continue reading Whiplash and a factor that might affect treatment outcomes
Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiza Bge, Salvia Root P.E.) extract is used to treat and prevent heart disease and senility in Asia, according to researchers from China. In some cases, patients might take danshen combined with theophylline (used to treat asthma).
Since they are both metabolized by the same liver enzyme system (CYP1A2), this study was conducted to determine the risk of a drug interaction. Continue reading No interaction between danshen and theophylline
Researchers at the University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands, reported more deaths when patients suffering from severe acute pancreatitis were treated with probiotics compared to placebo. Continue reading Bad results with probiotics reported during treatment of pancreatitis
Here’s the latest information from 2 studies from Dartmouth University in New Hampshire and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Continue reading Clarifying the effects of caffeine on insulin and diabetes
Ten years ago, the late Dr. William Fair, a surgeon at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and CAM advocate wrote, “epidemiologic and laboratory evidence increasingly demonstrate that nutritional factors, especially reduced fat intake, soy proteins, vitamin E derivatives, and selenium, may have a protective effect against prostate cancer.”
Now, Steffen Theobald, a nutritional consultant and manager at the Scientific Association for the Improvement of Patient Competence in Germany updates the role of nutrition in the development, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.
Continue reading A ten-year perspective: The influence of nutrition on prostate cancer