Abstracts & Commmentary
Sleep Deprivation and Alzheimer's Disease
04-17-2019 Research shows lack of sleep disrupts glymphatic clearance of β-amyloid, revealing a potential association between sleep disturbance and neurodegenerative disorders of the brain.
Fish Oil and Bleeding Risk: Time to Face Facts
04-03-2019 Practitioners often recommend that patients stop taking fish oil before surgery because of concerns that omega-3 fatty acids increase bleeding risk. A large, multinational, placebo-controlled study suggests such concerns may not be warranted.
ALCAT Testing for Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
04-03-2019 Sales of gluten-free products have skyrocketed in recent years, as many consumers who do not have celiac disease attribute their gastrointestinal symptoms to the wheat protein. Could a laboratory test predict gluten insensitivity in this population?
Air Pollution Impacts Cognitive Performance
04-03-2019 A survey-based study of a large population in China finds air pollution is associated with declining performance on verbal and mathematical tests, with variations in effects related to both age and gender.
Intravenous Vitamin C and Radio Sensitization in Pancreatic Cancer
03-06-2019 A combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, including a phase I clinical trial, supports the addition of intravenous vitamin C to a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Breakfast Improves Cardiometabolic Health Measures in Men with Prediabetes
03-06-2019 In 2017, the American Heart Association established that not skipping breakfast is associated with better health and even lower cardiovascular risk. The results of a controlled feeding trial involving prediabetic men corroborate—eating earlier in the day improved several measures of cardiometabolic health.
Probiotics for Bipolar Disorder Mania
03-06-2019 Randomized controlled trial finds bipolar patients on probiotics have fewer rehospitalizations compared to those on placebo.
Early-life Alcohol Consumption and High-Grade Prostate Cancer
03-06-2019 Study finds a positive association between heavier alcohol exposure from the ages of 15 to 49 and the diagnosis of high-grade prostate cancer at time of biopsy.
Eating Organic Food Reduces Cancer Risk
02-06-2019 In a large prospective study, participants who ate an organic diet had a reduced overall risk of cancer, with reductions in several specific cancer types. However, some of the findings conflict with results from a previous, larger study.
Curcumin for Cognitive Function in Aging Adults
02-06-2019 Since the 1990s we have suspected that curcumin protects against dementia, but results of actual trials have been mixed. Exciting results from a recent randomized trial using an enhanced form of curcumin give credence to what we suspected all along.
Probiotic Selection for Acute Pediatric Diarrhea
02-06-2019 A comparison of 2 probiotic supplements in children with acute diarrhea reveals a clear favorite and supports the use of probiotics as adjunct treatment for diarrheal illness.
Residential Green Space and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
02-06-2019 The beneficial effects of green space on cardiovascular disease have been recognized for years, but a new study is one of the first to use biomarkers to elucidate a mechanism of action.
Benefits of Ecotherapy for Survivors of Domestic Violence
12-05-2018 Domestic violence can cause health problems that persist even after the threat of acute trauma has ended. Project CarryOn provides a nature-based holistic approach to promote mental, physical, and emotional health in survivors of domestic violence, that, according to a recent study, has measurable benefits.
Fish Oil for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
12-05-2018 Since the early 1970s clinicians have recommended omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health. Conclusions from a Cochrane Review challenge decades of nutrition advice.
Processed Foods Increase Risk of Cancer
12-05-2018 We know that global consumption of processed foods is rising. A population-based study assessed potential health impacts of this dietary trend, specifically on cancer risk, with alarming results.
Suicide Rates Rise as Temperatures Climb
11-07-2018 Novel study correlates depressive tweets, suicide rates, and ambient temperatures in the United States and Mexico. Could climate change be affecting our mental health?
Probiotics May Not Be for Everyone
11-07-2018 Until very recently, the condition called D-lactic acidosis was considered rare among humans. Current research suggests it may be more common than we think–and the suspected culprit may surprise you.
Fennel for Postmenopausal Sexual Dysfunction
11-07-2018 A randomized controlled trial compared a phytoestrogen cream to placebo for treatment of postmenopausal sexual dysfunction. Both groups benefited, but why?
Green Tea and Breast Density in At-Risk Postmenopausal Women
10-24-2018 Certain women with high breast density who are at risk for breast cancer may benefit from daily consumption of green tea extract.
Does Complementary Medicine Increase Risk of Death for Cancer Patients?
10-24-2018 The recent JAMA Oncology study on the risks of using complementary medicine after a cancer diagnosis provided sensational headlines—but did it provide any legitimate conclusions about the place of integrative medicine in cancer care?