The typical way to stop smoking is to quit abruptly, but some smokers opt to reduce smoking before quitting as an alternative approach to cessation.
Researchers from the UK and Vermont reviewed the evidence in this Cochrane review. Continue reading Does it matter how you stop smoking?
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for preventing and treating the common cold has been a subject of controversy for 70 years.
Now, The Cochrane Library has reviewed the data. Continue reading Here’s what we know about vitamin C and the common cold
Approximately 30% of people over 65 years of age living in the community fall each year.
This Cochrane review updates what we know. Continue reading Reducing the rate and risk of falling
In this Cochrane review, researchers at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, in New South Wales, Australia, evaluated the evidence that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reduces morbidity and mortality. Continue reading Omega-3 for cystic fibrosis
In this Cochrane review, researchers at the Child and Adolescent Care Centre, in Chennai, India, assessed the effects. Continue reading Ayurvedic treatments for diabetes mellitus
Here are the findings of a Cochrane review. Continue reading Spinal manipulation for chronic low back pain
For decades, politicians like Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC have tried to get Americans to eat less salt.
Now Scientific American asks, “But if the US does conquer salt, what will we gain?”
Answer: bland french fries. Continue reading Finally, sanity in the salt wars
In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Nis, in Serbia, assessed the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D for prevention of mortality in adults. Continue reading Might vitamin D prevent death?
In this Cochrane review, researchers in Australia and the UK evaluated the evidence for directly altering brain activity with electrical stimulation to reduce chronic pain. Continue reading Noninvasive brain stimulation to treat chronic pain
In this Cochrane review, researchers at Sichuan University, in Chengdu, China, looked for evidence supporting the use of acupuncture in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Continue reading Review: Acupuncture to treat ADHD
Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and lack of flexibility of thought and behavior.
In this Cochrane review, researchers at The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, in China, report on the effectiveness of acupuncture to improve autistic features. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture for autism spectrum disorders
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) fruit extracts are used for treat lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Researchers in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Urological Symptoms (CAMUS) Study Group report the response to increasing doses. Continue reading Failure of saw palmetto to reduce BPH symptoms
Prof. Ernst and a colleague reviewed previous Cochrane reviews. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture to treat pain
This Cochrane Review assessed the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory infections (URTIs). Continue reading Probiotics improve a person’s health
Cochrane reviewed the effect of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on blood pressure in hypertensive adults. Continue reading Red tea doesn’t lower blood pressure
Having cancer may result in emotional, physical, and social suffering. Music interventions have been used to alleviate symptoms and treatment side effects in cancer patients.
The authors of this Cochrane review report the response to music among cancer patients. Continue reading Benefits of music therapy for cancer patients
Many women want to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management during labor, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management.
In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, evaluated the evidence supporting the aromatherapy for pain management in labor. Continue reading Aromatherapy for pain during labor?
It’s suggested, based on laboratory and clinical studies, that ginseng may have beneficial effects on cognitive performance (reasoning).
This Cochrane review evaluated the evidence in healthy people. Continue reading Does ginseng aid cognition?
Here are 2 Cochrane reviews that evaluate the evidence for using probiotics to treat persistent diarrhea, and the value of probiotics + rehydration to treat diarrhea.
Here’s a summary of a Cochrane review of herbals to treat stable angina — aka chronic angina.
In stable angina, chest pain occurs with activity or stress. The pain begins slowly and gets worse over several minutes before going away. Continue reading Traditional Chinese herbals to treat stable angina