There’s evidence — just not enough of it, yet.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Taking stock: Evidence that omega-3 fatty acids might prevent colon cancer
Benefits of CAM training in pharmacy curricula
Dr. Evelin Tiralongo at Griffith University’s School of Pharmacy in Australia reports that integrating CAM education into a pharmacy curriculum rationalized rather than marginalized students’ attitudes. Continue reading Benefits of CAM training in pharmacy curricula
Trans fat reductions should be voluntary
That’s the recommendation likely to come from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Board to UK Ministers next week. Continue reading Trans fat reductions should be voluntary
Black-raspberry gel to prevent mouth cancer
Oral cancer (cancer of the mouth) accounts for about only 4% of all cancers diagnosed each year in the US, but survival rates are among the lowest of major cancers.
Dr. Susan Mallery from the Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry reports that a gel made from black raspberry could stop oral lesions that often leave patients permanently disfigured. Continue reading Black-raspberry gel to prevent mouth cancer
Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs
Professor Richard Beasley from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand has studied the effects of marijuana on the lungs.
For chronic users, smoking just 1 joint is as bad for the lungs as 2.5 to 5 cigarettes. Continue reading Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs
Should probiotics be used to treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea?
Although there is insufficient evidence to recommend probiotics routinely, Lactobacillus GG or Saccharomyces boulardii appear to be the most effective, according to this Cochrane review.
Here are the details.
Continue reading Should probiotics be used to treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea?
Aromatherapy calms dogs during car travel
Are you taking the dog to visit grandma this year? Diffused lavender odor may be a practical approach to manage travel-induced excitement in dogs that are prone to that sort of thing.
In the finest tradition of a cross over study design, 32 dogs were exposed to the natural environment or the odor of lavender in random order during 6 rides to familiar walking sites.
Compared to normal odors, dogs surrounded by lavender in the car spent…
Two views of research results on chiropractic for low back pain?
SpineUniverse is “a collaborative effort of medical professionals to serve the community of individuals suffering from back pain.” Their editorial board includes more than 70 members, almost all of whom are medical doctors and no chiropractors.
As you’ll see, their conclusions regarding low back pain are not surprising. Compare them to the conclusions from a recent review by faculty and PhD candidates from the Department of Health and Chiropractic, Macquarie University, Australia.
Continue reading Two views of research results on chiropractic for low back pain?
Seizures associated with guarana in energy drinks
Recently, 4 patients experienced seizures multiple times following heavy consumption of energy drinks. The authors proposed that energy drinks rich in caffeine, taurine, and guarana seed extract could have provoked these seizures.
Here’s what we know about guarana thanks to researchers from the University of Florida at Gainesville and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) in Amazonas, Brazil. Continue reading Seizures associated with guarana in energy drinks
Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement
It’s only one patient (not the one in the photo), but it might reflect a bigger problem.
Here’s what happened.
Continue reading Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement
Looking back to see if black cohosh might prevent breast cancer
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia reviewed the records of about 2500 women — some with and others without breast cancer.
The objective was to determine if any hormone-related supplements they had taken in the past might be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. Continue reading Looking back to see if black cohosh might prevent breast cancer
Eating cereals high in fiber and magnesium might lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
Researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke in Nuthetal monitored more than 2500 adults from 1994 to 2005. Continue reading Eating cereals high in fiber and magnesium might lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
Vitamin D fails to stop geriatric hospital patients from falling
However, it’s important to compare this study design to what has been reported in the past. Continue reading Vitamin D fails to stop geriatric hospital patients from falling
ConsumerLab.com tests omega-3 and -6 fatty acid products
 More than 90% passed the quality control test. Continue reading ConsumerLab.com tests omega-3 and -6 fatty acid products
Should medical schools teach CAM?
That’s the ongoing debate at Medscape.
The greatest concern is that medical students might be exposed to — gasp — dogma. Continue reading Should medical schools teach CAM?
A holiday gift recommendation for your friends who use herbals
Written by Drs. Charles Fetrow and Juan Avila, The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines is a detailed yet practical reference book.
There are several things I particularly like about it. Continue reading A holiday gift recommendation for your friends who use herbals
Against conventional wisdom: Keyboard use and the risk of carpel tunnel syndrome
Researchers from Sweden report, “Intensive keyboard use appears to be associated with a lower risk of carpel tunnel syndrome.”
How could this be? Continue reading Against conventional wisdom: Keyboard use and the risk of carpel tunnel syndrome
Lack of support for dietary supplements to prevent or treat heart disease
A literature review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found 15 supplements that had been studied for their benefits in preventing or treating coronary heart disease.
According to the researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle…
- “Most had little data available and most of the data were of poor quality. Continue reading Lack of support for dietary supplements to prevent or treat heart disease
Testing the value of probiotics in marathon runners
Following prolonged heavy endurance exercise, the immune system is suppressed for up to 12 hours. This has led to the concept of the “open window,” when there’s an increased risk of an upper respiratory tract infection.
Might probiotics lower this risk?
Continue reading Testing the value of probiotics in marathon runners
Another study of the safety of chiropractic
In this study, researchers from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth, UK followed the response by 19,722 patients after cervical (neck) manipulation. Continue reading Another study of the safety of chiropractic