Researchers in Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, evaluated the effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity. Continue reading Benefits of green tea to control blood sugar
Effect of prenatal iron on pregnancy outcomes
Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional deficiency in the world.
Researchers form Boston and London reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Effect of prenatal iron on pregnancy outcomes
Belief in God and psychiatric treatment outcomes
Belief in God is common and tied to mental health and illness in the general population.
Researchers at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, in Belmont, Massachusetts, studied its relevance to psychiatric patients. Continue reading Belief in God and psychiatric treatment outcomes
Evening primrose oil and the risk of seizures
There’s a concern (here, here, and here) voiced by some reputable websites that taking evening primrose oil might make seizures more likely in some people.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Evening primrose oil and the risk of seizures
Updated recommendations to prevent and treat osteoporosis
An expert committee of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) with a multi-specialty council of medical experts in the field of bone health have updated recommendations.
Let’s focus on prevention, which emphasizes many of the CAM topics that dominate this website.
Continue reading Updated recommendations to prevent and treat osteoporosis
The last holdout for trans fat in fast food?
“Long John Silver’s Big Catch meal deserves to be buried 20,000 leagues under the sea,” said Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Continue reading The last holdout for trans fat in fast food?
Review: Acupuncture for women undergoing in vitro fertilization
Researchers at the Center for Integrative Medicine, at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, reviewed the effects of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates when added to in vitro fertilization. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture for women undergoing in vitro fertilization
Risk of harm following usual chiropractic care
According to a 2007 study by Canadian researchers, “Serious adverse events may be associated with pediatric spinal manipulation,” but “neither causation nor incidence rates can be inferred manipulation.”
Now, researchers at the University of Melbourne, in Australia, have taken a closer look at the frequency and severity of adverse effects from short-term usual chiropractic treatment. Continue reading Risk of harm following usual chiropractic care
Is there a role for biofeedback to treat sleep bruxism?
Sleep bruxism (nocturnal tooth grinding) causes hypersensitive teeth, aching jaw muscles, and headaches. There may even be tooth damage and loss.
Researchers at Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Is there a role for biofeedback to treat sleep bruxism?
Evidence for acupuncture to treat cancer-related fatigue
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea, reviewed the evidence for treatment.
And, researchers from the University of Manchester, in the UK reviewed the response to self-needling maintenance treatments. Continue reading Evidence for acupuncture to treat cancer-related fatigue
CoQ10 improves survival in chronic heart failure
During the annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, in Lisbon, Portugal, researchers at Copenhagen University Hospital, in Denmark, reported for the first time that the dietary supplement coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) cut in half the death rate of patients suffering from advanced heart failure. Continue reading CoQ10 improves survival in chronic heart failure
Lower fasting blood sugar levels associated with marijuana use
This study has been picked up by just about every news organization — far different from recent study results on adverse effects of marijuana.
Since this site is fair and balance, here are the results from University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, on the relationship between marijuana use and fasting insulin, glucose, and insulin resistance. Continue reading Lower fasting blood sugar levels associated with marijuana use
Benefits of reducing salt intake: Reality sets in
The NIH Committee on the Consequences of Sodium Reduction… reports it might be time to entertain second thoughts on the importance of salt restriction.
It was just a matter of time. Continue reading Benefits of reducing salt intake: Reality sets in
Tanning beds to treat psoriasis?
In a recent post on the National Psoriasis Foundation discussion board, a patient stated that the dermatologist recommended “that I use a tanning bed as this is far more convenient and less costly than using light box therapy.”
This lead to divergent views on the role of tanning beds in psoriasis treatment.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Tanning beds to treat psoriasis?
Hopelessness and the value of CAM in ovarian cancer
It’s reported that 55% of patients with ovarian cancer acknowledge a fear of dying, and 32% experience loss of hope in their fight against this illness.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, examined CAM and its influence on hopelessness in these patients. Continue reading Hopelessness and the value of CAM in ovarian cancer
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes associated with sugar-sweetened drinks
It’s been shown in the US.
Now, researchers from Imperial College London and the InterAct consortium report an association with type 2 diabetes in Europeans who drink sugar-sweetened soft drinks. 
Continue reading Increased risk of type 2 diabetes associated with sugar-sweetened drinks
Review: Benefits of CAM to help treat hypertension
The American Heart Association has summarized the blood pressure-lowering effects of several alternative approaches and provided recommendations for their use.
Here’s what we know in people with blood pressure (BP) levels higher than 120/80 mmHg. Continue reading Review: Benefits of CAM to help treat hypertension
Pain sensitivity as a predictor of response to sham acupuncture
Studies of acupuncture to treat chronic pain have largely failed to demonstrate an advantage of traditional acupuncture over sham acupuncture.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and Harvard Medical School studied whether the degree of enhanced sensitivity to experimental-pressure pain (hyperalgesia) may be a factor in determining whether a patient responds to sham acupuncture treatment. Continue reading Pain sensitivity as a predictor of response to sham acupuncture
Curcumin to treat gingivitis
Periodontal diseases often lead to tooth loss. The most common forms include gingivitis and periodontitis, which are caused by plaque bacteria around the gums.
Researchers at Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, in Maharashtra, India, studied the effects of curcumin mouthwash. Here are their results and a summary of other recent studies. Continue reading Curcumin to treat gingivitis
Consumers’ thoughts on pharmacists regarding complementary meds
Researchers at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide, explored consumer expectations, perceptions, and satisfaction of their pharmacist. Continue reading Consumers’ thoughts on pharmacists regarding complementary meds