Category Archives: Heavy Metals

CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies

The World Health Organization has predicted a 39% rise in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes by 2030. And an article in The Lancet indicates this might be an underestimation.

Since November is Diabetes Month, here’s a round-up of CAM options for people with diabetes from 2006 through March 2007.
Continue reading CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies

A critical review of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine

I was shocked by a recent Cochrane Review that concluded, “There was no evidence that the Chinese medicinal herbal treatment caused harm” in women with breast cancer.

Anyone who has followed the pet food recalls or reviewed the safety literature on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Indian medicine (TIM) would come to a different conclusion. Continue reading A critical review of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine

Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola

Dashmoola is a popular herbal formulation in ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to reduce fever and modify the immune response.

In this study, scientists from the National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow, India tested the roots and stems from 10 herbs used to prepare Dashmoola. Continue reading Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola

Summarizing seafood recommendations during pregnancy

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition has summarized the recommendations from official groups, worldwide. Their website should be essential reading for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and women thinking of becoming pregnant.

Let’s summarize their summary recommendations. Continue reading Summarizing seafood recommendations during pregnancy

Magnesium and the metabolic syndrome

Fifteen years after enrollment of more than 600 people between 18 and 30 years of age, researchers from the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago report that higher magnesium intake is associated with a lower risk of the metabolic syndrome.

The results are interesting, but what’s the action plan for the average person?

Continue reading Magnesium and the metabolic syndrome

Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston believe, “the United States Food and Drug Administration and corresponding agencies in other countries should require heavy metal testing for all imported dietary supplements.”

The recommendation is based on what they found among people taking Ayurvedic medicines. Continue reading Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication