Two recently published reviews on the treatment of migraine outline the role for CAM. Continue reading Defining a role for CAM in migraine
Light treatment for seasonal affective disorder
In an earlier post on the topic of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a reader emphasized the importance of recognizing the influence of the circadian pacemaker on depression, and its importance when scheduling light treatment.
So, let’s update the record. Continue reading Light treatment for seasonal affective disorder
An omega-3 enriched liquid egg product lowers triglycerides
A breakfast containing omega-3 enriched liquid eggs significantly decreased blood triglyceride levels by 32% and the triglyceride:HDL-cholesterol ratio by 37%.
That’s good!
There was also a moderate reduction in blood pressure. By comparison, the control breakfast had no such effects.
Continue reading An omega-3 enriched liquid egg product lowers triglycerides
Comparing the fat profiles of enriched and classic eggs
Omega-3 enriched eggs are on the shelves in food stores around the country. An enriched eggs is the same as a classic egg, except it contains higher levels of the polyunsaturated fatty acid called omega-3.
Here’s a comparison of fats in enriched eggs vs “classic” eggs.
Continue reading Comparing the fat profiles of enriched and classic eggs
Ask Me 3
What are the 3 most important questions to ask your healthcare provider?
- What is my main problem?
- What do I need to do?
- Why is it important for me to do this?
If the answer to any of these questions is unclear, ask again.
Remember what Albert Einstein said.
- “You do not really understand something . . . until you can explain it to your grandmother.”
4/11/07 22:29 JR
Got signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning?
The pros and cons of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can be found here and here. Concern over massive switching from incandescent to CFLs in order to save the environment centers on the risk of toxicity from mercury used in the manufacture of CFLs.
The risk of mercury toxicity is also relevant to CAM in light of the inclusion of mercury in Ayurvedic medicines. Continue reading Got signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning?
How many ways can supplements help make you slimmer?
No matter how much money you have, it always comes down to being appreciated.
Despite the fact that the worldwide market for supplements to help us be slimmer is worth $7 billion, the biggest challenge is to be acceptable as a serious category, says Dr. Jorg Gruenwald from Berlin-based Analyze & Realize, a consultancy and research firm specializing on natural products. Continue reading How many ways can supplements help make you slimmer?
Is Lovacor cost-effective therapy?
The answer (in the UK at least) is yes when taken by patients after their first heart attack. Continue reading Is Lovacor cost-effective therapy?
Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy pain control
The patients reported better pain control, but there was no difference in the use of other pain medicines. Continue reading Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy pain control
Size acceptance and intuitive eating
Dr. Linda Bacon at the University of California, Davis contends that weight is greatly exaggerated as a health risk.
As an alternative, she proposes “the health at every size” treatment program. Continue reading Size acceptance and intuitive eating
Know your fiber
Whole-grain products that don’t dissolve in water (whole wheat and brown rice) are called insoluble fiber or “ruffage.” This form of fiber keeps the intestines working properly.
Soluble fiber (barley), which is sticky and dissolves easily in water, helps lower total cholesterol and LDL “bad” cholesterol in the blood, and helps regulate blood sugar in diabetics.
For blood pressure and weight control, does it make a difference in your diet, which one you eat?
Synbiotic 2000 fails to prevent a recurrence of Crohn’s disease following surgery
Complications of Crohn’s disease (CD) lead to surgery in 70% to 90% of patients, and most of them experience a relapse.
Synbiotic 2000 consists of a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics. The rationale for its use in this study was to alter the bacteria in the colon and hopefully lower the CD relapse rate after surgery. Continue reading Synbiotic 2000 fails to prevent a recurrence of Crohn’s disease following surgery
Canola is granted a heart health claim by the US FDA
Canola oil and products that contain canola oil can now place the following statement on the label.
“Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that eating about 1 1/2 tablespoons (19 grams) of canola oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the unsaturated fat content in canola oil. To achieve this possible benefit, canola oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day.”
Continue reading Canola is granted a heart health claim by the US FDA
FDA has ruled against Tigan: Now, what to do for nausea and vomiting?
Companies must stop manufacturing and distributing trimethobenzamide hydrochloride (Tigan, Tebamide, T-Gen, Trimazide, and Trimethobenz) suppositories.
It’s a good time to review CAM options for nausea and vomiting. Continue reading FDA has ruled against Tigan: Now, what to do for nausea and vomiting?
Crataegus Extract WS 1442 is not effective congestive heart failure therapy
In people with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) WS 1442 (aka, hawthorn) does not change the incidence of death due to progressive heart failure, fatal heart attack, or non-fatal heart attack. It also doesn’t affect the chances of being put in the hospital because of heart failure. Continue reading Crataegus Extract WS 1442 is not effective congestive heart failure therapy
Recommendations to prevent heart disease in diabetics
The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association each published guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Now, they have combined their guidelines, and here are highlights from the recommended lifestyle modifications. Continue reading Recommendations to prevent heart disease in diabetics
The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Dr. Frederick Burgess, who is clinical associate professor of surgery (anesthesiology) at Brown University in Rhode Island, has these thoughts from the American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting this past February. Continue reading The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Essential fatty acids in patients who cause self-harm
Two recent studies looked at the blood levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in people with a history of causing self-harm, and the effect of treatment with EFAs. Continue reading Essential fatty acids in patients who cause self-harm
Cannabis does not interact with 2 cancer drugs
Docetaxel (Taxotere) is used to treat breast cancer, while irinotecan (Camptosar) is used to treat cancer of the colon or rectum.
This study shows that medicinal cannabis can be taken with both anticancer agents and does not require adjusting their doses. Continue reading Cannabis does not interact with 2 cancer drugs
Comparing 2 heart-healthy diets
Heartwire reports, “high-risk patients who have survived a first MI [myocardial infarction] can reduce their risk of subsequent cardiovascular events by eating either a Mediterranean-style diet or the low-fat diet recommended by the AHA [American Heart Association], with no differences in risk reduction between the two diets.” Continue reading Comparing 2 heart-healthy diets