Arnica: Not really par excellence

The website HealthWorld has an article on homeopathy that describes arnica (mountain daisy) as “par excellence” for the treatment of shock or trauma caused by any injury. Although the German Commission E Monograph lists herbal doses of arnica as approved for external use resulting from accidents, it questions arnica’s value in homeopathy, as discussed in this review.

Based on what we know, the frequent reference to arnica as “par excellence” is an overstatement. Continue reading Arnica: Not really par excellence →

No difference between food from cloned and conventional livestock

The Food and Drug Administration has concluded, “Meat and milk from clones and their progeny is [sic] as safe to eat as corresponding products derived from animals produced using contemporary agricultural practices.”

The FDA scientists state that by the time clones reached 6 to 18 months of age, they were “virtually indistinguishable” from conventionally bred animals.

The usual groups are appalled. Libby Quaid has more on myway.com.

12/27/06 01:02 JR

Remember to change your diet when you start taking omega 3 capsules

Dr. Jennifer Malinowski, who is Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Nursing in Pennsylvania, reports a patient who experienced an 75% increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol while taking 9 grams of fish oil capsules per day to lower her triglyceride levels. Obviously, it’s not desirable for LDL to go up.

What can we learn from this patient’s experience? Continue reading Remember to change your diet when you start taking omega 3 capsules →

Moving to the next stage of research with probiotic treatment of diarrhea

Yes, probiotics are “generally regarded as safe,” say researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.

But although most studies show “statistical shortening of the duration of diarrhea,” evidence that the results are really beneficial to patients is missing.

Here’s what we know. Continue reading Moving to the next stage of research with probiotic treatment of diarrhea →

The benefit of small amounts of dark chocolate on blood pressure

In a small group of people with above-optimal blood pressure, including “small amounts of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate as part of a usual diet efficiently reduced blood pressure,” according to researchers from the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany.

Unfortunately, the researchers could only postulate the long term benefit of blood pressure control, rather than actually show it in this group of volunteers. Continue reading The benefit of small amounts of dark chocolate on blood pressure →

Update: China’s response to the food export scandal

Chinese exports have been under scrutiny since the discovery of melamine in shipments of feed and pet food sent to the US.

Ongoing inspections in China have revealed an alarming list of substances, include paraffin wax, dyes, and formaldehyde in biscuits, flour, and seafood, according to the Chinese newspaper, People’s Daily. Continue reading Update: China’s response to the food export scandal →

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point