23 American and 2 foreign companies that market phony cancer cures on the Internet have been told to stop this activity by the FDA. Continue reading Consumer Alert: FDA stops fake cancer cures
Monthly Archives: June 2008
Regulating CAM in the UK
Medical News Today reports that the Department of Health Steering Group recommends to regulate acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.
It’s recommended that this happen as soon as possible. Continue reading Regulating CAM in the UK
Misperceptions by a homeopathic physician
Geoff Woodin, a homeopathic physicians from the UK, has an us-vs-them view of homeopathy and allopathic medicine.
It’s not surprising given the onslaught of criticism targeting his field in the UK. However, his perspective of allopathic medicine is inaccurate, I believe. Continue reading Misperceptions by a homeopathic physician
Arsenic toxicity from Ayurvedic
Lead, mercury, and (oh yeah) arsenic intoxication have been associated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines.
Here’s an account of one patent’s experience. Continue reading Arsenic toxicity from Ayurvedic
Might mindfulness reduce the severity of hot flashes?
Preliminary evidence supports the feasibility of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in women experiencing severe hot flashes, according to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Continue reading Might mindfulness reduce the severity of hot flashes?
Tofu associated with worse memory
Laboratory studies suggest that phytoestrogens, found in soy products such as tempe and tofu, could protect against cognitive (reasoning) decline. But an earlier study in humans suggested the opposite.
Here’s what researchers from Loughborough University in the UK found. Continue reading Tofu associated with worse memory
Coffee, tea, and the risk of stroke
Both beverages have antioxidant properties, and coffee may improve insulin sensitivity.
OK, but is there an association between coffee and tea consumption with the risk of stroke? Continue reading Coffee, tea, and the risk of stroke
The status of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia
“At this time, the benefits of acupuncture for treating fibromyalgia remain unclear and require well designed controlled trials to identify its potential role,” concludes Dr. Daniel Rooks from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston in a review on Medscape.
Here’s a summary of his review.
Continue reading The status of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia
Simplified tai-chi benefits the elderly in long-term care
Providing a simplified tai-chi exercise program (STEP) in long-term care facilities can promote physical health in older adults.
That’s the conclusion from a study in Taiwan.
Continue reading Simplified tai-chi benefits the elderly in long-term care
Effect of breathing instruction on panic disorder and stress
Recommendations to modify breathing patterns are commonly given to people with ordinary stress and tension, as well as to patients with anxiety disorders.
This study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California used physiological measures to document changes in respiration to examine the physiological and psychological effects of breathing instructions. Continue reading Effect of breathing instruction on panic disorder and stress
Interactions between supplements and drugs used to treat AIDS
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore have reviewed natural health products (NHPs) and antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Here are the results
Continue reading Interactions between supplements and drugs used to treat AIDS
A study of cannabis cigarettes for neuropathic pain
Researchers from the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento tell us “Despite [a] lack of scientific validation, many patients routinely use ‘medical marijuana,’ and in many cases this use is for pain related to nerve injury.”
In this study, “no effect on evoked pain was seen.” Continue reading A study of cannabis cigarettes for neuropathic pain
Updating what we know about probiotics and diarrhea
Growing evidence suggests that probiotics might serve as a functional food in the treatment of diarrhea.
Here’s what we know.
Continue reading Updating what we know about probiotics and diarrhea
Oral cannabis is not effective for acute pain
There’s some supporting evidence in animals, but what about in humans? Continue reading Oral cannabis is not effective for acute pain
Negative effects of cannabinoids on human sperm
Delta(9)- and Delta(8)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are potent inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration in human sperm, according to this study by researchers at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Continue reading Negative effects of cannabinoids on human sperm
Pain management during labor: Is there a role for CAM?
Actually, it hasn’t been studied very much.
But here’s what we know so far.
Continue reading Pain management during labor: Is there a role for CAM?
CAM for cancer survivors: The Sloan-Kettering view
Three members of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City have published their views. Continue reading CAM for cancer survivors: The Sloan-Kettering view
CAM preferences among children with chronic pain
You won’t be surprised to learn that pain of longer duration and greater impairment make children more willing to use CAM.
But which CAM options do they choose? Continue reading CAM preferences among children with chronic pain
Rest periods and resistance exercise performance
Researchers at The University of Tulsa in Oklahoma compared different forms of very short rest periods on subsequent performance. Continue reading Rest periods and resistance exercise performance
Measuring the immune response to Dzherelo
Dzherelo, is made from a combination of medicinal plants and used in Ukraine to treat tuberculosis (TB) and HIV infections.
In this study, Dzherelo had a positive effect on the immune status and viral burden in patients treated for TB. Continue reading Measuring the immune response to Dzherelo