Supplements containing turmeric and its key compound, curcumin, may be helpful in treating inflammatory diseases and other conditions.
ConsumerLab.com reports some problems with 2 of 10 products tested. Continue reading Product report: Turmeric and curcumin
Researchers at the University of Evora, in Portugal, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Benefits of Pilates in healthy people
Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and lack of flexibility of thought and behavior.
In this Cochrane review, researchers at The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, in China, report on the effectiveness of acupuncture to improve autistic features. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture for autism spectrum disorders
Women with endometriosis may complain of chronic pelvic pain, most notably dysmenorrhea.
Researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, reviewed the evidence for acupuncture. Continue reading Acupuncture to treat endometriosis pain
Researchers at the University of Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia, determined the effect of tai chi exercise on persistent low back pain. Continue reading Improvement in back pain with tai chi
Researchers at Trinity College, in Ireland, reviewed the latest scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of CAM treatments in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Continue reading Is there a role for CAM to treat ADHD?
MayoClinic.com has reviewed the pros and cons. Continue reading Is yoga for children a good idea?
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, compared acupuncture to nurse-led supportive care in patients with incurable cancer. Continue reading Is there benefit from acupuncture in palliative care?
Researchers at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, in New York City, used a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the effective component in omega-3 fatty acid treatment of major depressive episodes. Continue reading Review: EPA to treat depression
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston conducted a review of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey of non-institutionalized US residents conducted by the National Center of Health Statistics of the Center for Disease Control. Continue reading CAM use by Americans
Researchers at the University of Rome, in Italy, report on adverse reactions associated with herbal laxatives reported to the Italian Medicines Agency and the Italian National Institute of Health over 9 years. Continue reading Side effects from herbals used as laxatives
Emily Matthews, a reader of this blog, provides this overview of depression and complementary treatment options.
About 20 million Americans suffer from clinical depression. Low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, are thought to contribute to depression. Depression is also associated with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, hypoglycemia, stress, impaired thyroid function, environmental toxins, and unhealthy lifestyles. Continue reading CAM options for treating depression
Chronic low back pain is a common problem lacking effective treatment options.
Researchers in Oregon and Washington compared yoga and conventional stretching exercises for patients with chronic low back pain. Continue reading Yoga vs stretching for low back pain
Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is a cardinal symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its severity and magnitude increase as the disease progresses, leading to significant disability and a negative effect on quality of life.
Here are the Canadian Thoracic Society clinical practice guidelines, with emphasis on CAM. Continue reading Limits of CAM: Dyspnea in patients with COPD
Researchers at Laikon General Hospital, in Athens, Greece, looked for a response. Continue reading Omega-3 fatty acid effect on lipids in hemodialysis patients
Researchers at Tel Aviv University, in Ramat Aviv, Israel, describe the effects of cannabis use in patients suffering from Crohn’s disease. Continue reading Treating Crohn’s disease with cannabis
Surveys suggest many people with asthma use it, often without the knowledge of their healthcare providers.
Researchers at the University of Southampton, in the UK, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading The value of breathing training in asthma
An international group of researchers examined the association between mothers’ use of prenatal folic acid supplements and the risk of severe language delay in their children at age 3 years. Continue reading The effect of prenatal folic acid on language in children
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, in Sweden, compared the effects of exercise and topiramate (Topamax) in migraine prevention. Continue reading Exercise to prevent migraine
Preliminary evidence suggests that meditative exercise may have benefits for patients with chronic systolic heart failure
Researchers in Boston, Massachusetts, investigated whether tai chi, in addition to standard care, improves functional capacity and quality of life in these patients. Continue reading Tai chi for heart failure patients