The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet lowers blood pressure, but what about its long-term effect on the risk of heart disease and stroke? Continue reading Long-term benefits of the DASH diet
Cost-effective naturopathic care for low back pain
In this study by researchers in Canada and the US, combining several treatments under the umbrella of naturopathic care was better than simply giving advice. Continue reading Cost-effective naturopathic care for low back pain
Acupuncture plus physiotherapy for painful shoulder
Researchers in Spain evaluated single-point acupuncture as an adjunct to physiotherapy to improve shoulder function in patients with unilateral subacromial syndrome. Continue reading Acupuncture plus physiotherapy for painful shoulder
Short-term exercise training for cardiac rehabilitation
Just 25 days of exercise training as part of a residential cardiac rehabilitation program improved heart muscle function, according to Dr. Stephen Crouse from Texas A&M University in College Station, who presented his findings at the annual meeting of the American Physiological Society. Continue reading Short-term exercise training for cardiac rehabilitation
Are omega-3 capsules contaminated?
 In this study, the average PCB and DDT intakes were calculated to be 736 and 304 ng/day, respectively.
But what does that mean? And is it important? Continue reading Are omega-3 capsules contaminated?
Benefits of chondroitin in knee osteoarthritis
 Researchers from the University of Paris Descartes in France assessed the long-term effects of chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate on the symptoms and radiographic progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Continue reading Benefits of chondroitin in knee osteoarthritis
Under use of exercise to treat chronic back and neck pain
 Studies show that exercise is beneficial for chronic low back and neck pain, but how often is it prescribed? Continue reading Under use of exercise to treat chronic back and neck pain
Minimal and sham acupuncture as placebos
 Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Sabbatsbergs Hospital in Stockholm “argue that minimal acupuncture is not valid as an inert placebo-control.” Continue reading Minimal and sham acupuncture as placebos
Probiotic effects on respiratory tract infection
 Reviewers at the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Athens, Greece evaluated the evidence. Continue reading Probiotic effects on respiratory tract infection
Optimize ADHD treatment in adults
“Nonpharmacologic interventions are an important component of any ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder) treatment plan” according to Dr. Lloyd Darlow from Cornell-Weill College of Medicine in New York. Continue reading Optimize ADHD treatment in adults
Does drinking green tea reduce breast cancer risk?
Researchers from Vanderbilt School of Medicine Nashville, Tennessee and the Shanghai Center for Disease Prevention and Control in the People’s Republic of China report a weak association. Continue reading Does drinking green tea reduce breast cancer risk?
Lose weight, gain control over incontinence
Obesity correlates with urinary incontinence. Might weight loss be an effective treatment?
Researchers from across the US decided to find out. Continue reading Lose weight, gain control over incontinence
CAMophobia at Medscape
 Here’s the link to a brief review written by Dr. Jonathan Silver from New York University School of Medicine.
You need read no further than the first paragraph to see the bias. Continue reading CAMophobia at Medscape
More tainted weight loss products
Here’s an updated list of 69 contaminated products identified by the FDA.
What’s a consumer to think? Continue reading More tainted weight loss products
Soy effects on bone mineral density
Supplementation is unlikely to have significant favorable [effect] on bone mineral density (BMD), according to this review by researchers at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.
Is this the final word? Continue reading Soy effects on bone mineral density
ConsumerLab tests Coenzyme Q10
Just 1 of 39 coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (ubiquinol) supplements tested contained levels lower than listed on the label.
But large variations in dose and forms may confuse consumers, according to ConsumerLab in their latest report. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests Coenzyme Q10
The STEP report on saw palmetto safety
STEP stands for “Saw palmetto for Treatment of Enlarged Prostates.†Continue reading The STEP report on saw palmetto safety
Treating tension-type headache with acupuncture
It could be a valuable non-pharmacological tool in patients with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches, according to this Cochrane review. Continue reading Treating tension-type headache with acupuncture
Acupuncture to prevent migraine
New data since the last review lead the authors of this Cochrane review to conclude, “Acupuncture should be considered a treatment option.” Continue reading Acupuncture to prevent migraine
Omega-3 not effective for Crohn’s disease, again
 That’s the conclusion from this Cochrane review. Continue reading Omega-3 not effective for Crohn’s disease, again