Gene transfer therapy for erectile dysfunction is being studied

It’s in the early stages of development, but might replace drugs like Viagra (sildenafil) in coming years.

At the recent American Urology Association meeting Dr. Arnold Melman, from the Department of Urology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York reported the results in 11 men who received a transfer gene called hMaxi-K.

This was a “phase 1” safety study to see if there were obvious side effects and record any response to the doses used. At the higher doses, two volunteers reported a positive response and no adverse effects.

Dr. Melman thinks gene therapy might also be effective for over-active bladder.

To be continued.

12/4/06 11:37 JR

ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)

ORAC is an acronym that stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity. This laboratory test was developed by USDA researchers at Tufts University to rate the antioxidant levels of fruits and vegetables.

ORAC measures the degree to which a sample inhibits the action of an oxidizing agent and how long it takes to do so. Then, it integrates the two measurements into a single value. ORAC provides an accurate and reproducible measurement for different types of antioxidants having different strengths.

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The importance of defining the active ingredients in herbal medicines

The Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies is an excellent reference source on herbal medicines. Writing in the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research Newsletter (go here and click the volume 2 number 4 issue), the reviewer states that editor Marilyn Barrett and her contributors, “take a rigorous look at both the nature of the herbal evidence base, and how it [the evidence base] is and should be generated.”

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An alternative delivery system for tetrahydrocannabinol

The Food and Drug Administration issued a statement in April that no sound scientific studies support the medicinal use of marijuana for treatment. This lead to a seemingly endless list of editorials and articles assailing the FDA for political bias – here, here, here, here, and here.

You get the message.

Back on earth…

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The Calcium Key

The Calcium Key is a weight loss book focusing on calcium via dairy foods that the author says, “increase fat burning and decrease fat making and fat storage by 50% or more than obtaining calcium from non-dietary sources.”

If you are interested, here is a scathing review.

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Measuring the effect of folic acid on homocysteine and the risk of heart disease

High blood levels of the amino acid called homocysteine are thought to increase the risk for heart disease by damaging the lining of blood vessels and increasing blood clotting.

Despite this, the American Heart Association doesn’t recommend widespread use of folic acid to lower homocysteine blood levels.

Does this make sense?

Here’s the latest information.

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Use of soy and herbals to treat menopausal symptoms

“More than half of women who treat their symptoms of menopause take soy supplements or herbal products as part or all of their therapy.” states The New York Times, which reported on a recently published article in the journal Menopause.

However, the women in this online survey generally felt illinformed about proper doses and use of herbal products.

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