It’s estimated that regular use of sun protective factor (SPF) 15 during the first 18 years of life would reduce the lifetime incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers by 78%.
It turns out that sunscreen protects against squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) but is marginal at best against basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) — two cancers that affect different layers in the skin.
Continue reading The limits of sunscreen to prevent skin cancer
Most people are misinformed about the extent of government regulation of vitamins, minerals and food supplements, according to a National Harris Interactive Survey.
Commonly held misperceptions
In his book, Natural Causes, Dan Hurley blames the Dietary Supplements and Health Education Act (DSHEA) for what he considers an unacceptable state of affairs.
Continue reading Natural Causes: A negative view of supplements
There’s evidence that blood levels of coenzyme Q10 decrease in people with advanced chronic heart failure.
Now we know that CoQ10 supplements help and exercise helps more.
Continue reading Coenzyme Q supplements benefit patients with heart failure
During the most recent meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians Dr. Paul Blanc from the University of California at San Francisco reported that half of all people with asthma use CAM.
Here are the highlights from Medscape.
Last year, legislation was submitted in Ontario, Canada that would regulate acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in that province.
The deed is done.
Continue reading Acupuncture and TCM now regulated in Ontario
Omega-3 fatty acid consumption has been linked to reductions in the risk of death from heart disease.
Now, researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine report that omega-3 acts directly on the heart rather than acting through the vagus nerve, which normally regulates the heart rhythm.
Continue reading The direct effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the heart
Research conducted in Malaysia and at Brandeis University shows that a new method of modifying fat in commercial products to replace unhealthy trans fats actually raises blood sugar levels and lowers insulin in humans — common precursors to diabetes.
Oh yea, one more thing.
Continue reading Replacing trans fats? Be careful what you use
Medical News Today has the 10 most common myths about diet and exercise.
Here’s one example.
Chronic pancreatitis is most often caused by alcoholism and alcohol abuse. The ability to get these patients to commit and stick with yoga classes twice weekly for 12 weeks is a major accomplishment. Improved quality of life is a bonus.
Here are the results from two studies.
Continue reading Yoga improves quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis
Everybody is covering this story, but here are the essential details.
Continue reading Trans fatty acid increases the risk of infertility
The Fat Man keeps tabs on trans fats for us. Here are the latest headlines.
A quick Google search (“soy” and “blood pressure”) reveals the predominant view that soy has positive effects on the heart and significant (but mild) blood pressure lowering action in people with high blood pressure.
Here is another view.
Continue reading A contrarian view on soy protein and blood pressure
This is the first study of this form of acupuncture in patients having surgery in an outpatient setting.
Continue reading Auricular acupuncture reduces pain after surgery, but does it matter?
Lactobacillus reuteri improved colicky symptoms in breastfed infants within 1 week of treatment according to a study published in the well-respected medical journal, Pediatrics.
It worked better than the often used therapy, simethicone (Mylicon).
Continue reading Using a probiotic to treat colic in infants
In 1993, Senator Orrin Hatch said, “most of these [herbal remedies] have been on the market for 4,000 years, and the real issue is risk. And there is not much risk in any of these products.”
Now, the American Association of Poison Control Centers defines that risk after more than 20 years of data collection.
Continue reading Poison control centers report on the safety of supplements
Helicobacter pylori is a common infection of the stomach. Although most people have no symptoms, it’s related to the development of ulcers and is probably related to cancers involving the stomach.
Currently, H pylori infection is treated with a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics — called triple therapy. Adding a probiotic food to triple therapy does not appear to help eliminate this bacteria in children.
Continue reading Trying to treat stomach infections with probiotics
Another group has reviewed the literature and concluded there is moderate evidence for its use to treat neck pain.
“Moderate” evidence that acupuncture?
These conclusions are based on the results of 10 clinical studies. It agrees with an earlier Cochrane review.
1/17/07 19:04 JR
Previous studies on the effect of soy isoflavones on bone health have been disappointing. So, a positive response to soy isoflavones on the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck is of interest.
Continue reading Effect of soy isoflavones on bone in postmenopausal women
The product is sold only in California. It comes in an opaque plastic container with no lot number or expiration date.
Continue reading Recall of Natural Tan Tan Tofu Panda Flavor Soybean Juice