The University of Alberta Evidence-based Practice Center (UAEPC) has reviewed the published literature on meditation practices for health.
They’re not impressed. Continue reading Meditation practices for health: Disappointing state of the art
Pilates for low back pain
Lynda Lippin (photo) is a Pilates teacher and personal trainer. “I started practicing the method because of chronic back pain. After trying physical therapy and yoga, it was doing Pilates regularly that got me out of pain.”
She also mentions a study that supports her view. Continue reading Pilates for low back pain
Trans fat regulations take effect to day in NYC
And compliance with the law is encouraging.
According to an article in MedicalNewsToday.com,
- 83% of restaurants in New York City were not using trans fats for frying on June 1, a month before the July 1st deadline.
- 57% of restaurants are complying with Phase II — no trans fats used for baked foods or prepared foods, and oils used to deep-fry dough or cake batter — which doesn’t take effect until next year.
Sounds like it’s not that hard to change.
7/1/07 10:24 JR
Trying hard to generate positive research results for black cohosh
There are doctors in Germany who are working overtime to convince us that black cohosh is a valuable treatment for menopausal symptoms.
I’m not buying it. But then, I’m not in menopause. Continue reading Trying hard to generate positive research results for black cohosh
Dissapointing recommendations to treat Alzheimer’s disease
These recommendations, from a group of experts, take a narrow view of Alzheimer’s disease. They focus on early detection and the use of existing prescription drugs.
That’s fine as far as it goes, but what about those with advanced Alzheimer’s? Why not develop a more comprehensive approach?
If I might quote Paul Harvey, “here’s the rest of the story.” Continue reading Dissapointing recommendations to treat Alzheimer’s disease
Consumer alert: FDA recalls Long Weekend
It’s is the third time this year the FDA has identified a “natural” product sold via the Internet for the treatment of impotence (erectile dysfunction) that was adulterated with the prescription drug tadalafil (Cialis). Continue reading Consumer alert: FDA recalls Long Weekend
FDA takes control
Has your worst nightmare become real, or is this the start of sanity for the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA)?
It’s not necessary to comment on this. More importantly… Continue reading FDA takes control
A positive review for echinacea and the common cold
This review was presented previously at the American College of Clinical Pharmacology meeting and is reported here. It’s now been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
However, since there’s no abstract available, I’ve used the article published on Inthenews.co.uk. Continue reading A positive review for echinacea and the common cold
The contribution of physical activity to weight loss
Drs. Victoria Catenacci and Holly Wyatt from the University of Colorado at Denver reviewed the literature and came to the following conclusions. Continue reading The contribution of physical activity to weight loss
Looking for a new diet? Highest rating goes to Volumetrics
The Consumer Reports website rates volumetrics as the number one diet in terms of sustainable weight loss.
And, of course, there’s a book to get you started. Lynda Lippin reviewed The Volumetrics Eating Plan by Dr. Barbara Rolls (photo), and was impressed.
Continue reading Looking for a new diet? Highest rating goes to Volumetrics
Natural herbal medicine used to complement SARS treatment
SARS, of course, is severe acute respiratory syndrome — a viral pneumonia. There was one major epidemic in late 2002 where about 10% of those infected died.
In this study, a concoction of natural herbal medicines (NHM) plus routine western treatment appeared to be safe, with evidence of benefit over western treatment alone. Continue reading Natural herbal medicine used to complement SARS treatment
Goji berries: super fruit or super hype?
Time Magazine named the Himalayan Goji berry as the breakout superfruit of the year!
It’s promoted to
- protect the liver
- help eyesight
- improve sexual function and fertility
- strengthen the legs
- boost immune function
- improve circulation
- promote longevity
Wow! That’s enough for me..
…to look for evidenced-based support.
Australia will initiate a National Institute for Complementary Medicine
With financial support from the Australian government, the institute will develop national priorities for complementary medical research and coordinate work on these priorities with other research bodies. Continue reading Australia will initiate a National Institute for Complementary Medicine
Increased protein and mineral content from genetically engineered wheat
Researchers have cloned a gene from wild wheat that increases its protein, zinc, and iron content. The impact of this research could improve nutrition, worldwide.
Continue reading Increased protein and mineral content from genetically engineered wheat
Treating anal fistulas with clove oil
An anal fissure is a painful condition affecting the far end of the intestines. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving properties of clove oil provide a rationale for its use in this study. Continue reading Treating anal fistulas with clove oil
Using cod-liver oil to lower the risk of depression
There’s growing interest in the potential effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depression and subsequent afflictions such as heart disease.
Here’s a study using the granddaddy of omega-3 formulations — cod-liver oil. Continue reading Using cod-liver oil to lower the risk of depression
Sound advice for achieving weight loss
So many options, so little success.
You can follow any program you want. But here are some common sense recommendations from NutritionData.com. Continue reading Sound advice for achieving weight loss
Acupuncture is comparable to ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. In most cases they are drugs of first choice.
Now, a study by Dr. Frank Flachskampf and colleagues concludes that acupuncture likely represents an attractive option. Continue reading Acupuncture is comparable to ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure
Consumer alert: Optimum Health Care SleePlus TCM or BYL SleePlus
Health Canada has advised consumers not to use these products.
They contain clonazepam (Klonopin), a benzodiazepine drug (think Valium, Atavin, Restoril), which can be habit-forming when used for as little as a few months. Continue reading Consumer alert: Optimum Health Care SleePlus TCM or BYL SleePlus
Poor quality control with milk thistle supplements
At the end of 2006 I listed milk thistle as a supplement worth additional research. This was because of a study in people with diabetes where milk thistle was associated with a decline in A1c circuclating in blood.
Now, ConsumerLab.com has tested 12 milk thistle products. Continue reading Poor quality control with milk thistle supplements