Abstracts & Commmentary
Nigella sativa Dissolves Small Renal Liths
12-04-2019 In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, ground Nigella sativa seeds reduced the number of renal liths in the treatment group compared to the placebo group.
Dying of a Broken Heart?
12-04-2019 Does injury to the heart release chemicals that make people feel depressed, or does depression release chemicals that promote heart injury? Or is it a two-way street?
Helicobacter Pylori, Antioxidants, and Garlic in Gastric Cancer Prevention
12-04-2019 A recent study sought to determine whether eradication of H pylori or certain supplements would affect gastric cancer incidence or mortality over a period of just over 2 decades.
Crohn’s Disease and Elemental Diet Study
12-04-2019 This prospective, randomized clinical trial compared the tolerability and efficacy of diets designed to treat Crohn’s disease.
Skipping Breakfast Associated with Increased Cardiovascular Disease and Death
11-06-2019 A review of the research on the heart health reasons for eating breakfast—and the importance of timing it right.
Higher Frequency of Adverse Events in Older Patients on Antidepressant Drugs
11-06-2019 Drugs intended to treat depression symptoms in the elderly may have adverse psychological and non-psychological effects. Alternative naturopathic treatments may be beneficial in this population.
Aloe Polysaccharide and Propolis as Potential Chemopreventive Agents in Smokers
11-06-2019 Naturally sourced products helped test subjects eliminate harmful chemicals associated with cigarette smoking and induced changes in blood contents that suggest a protective effect on the kidneys and liver.
Soy Intake and Osteoporotic Fracture Risk in Women with a History of Breast Cancer
10-23-2019 Whole soy foods were associated with significantly reduced risk of osteoporosis-related bone fractures in pre/perimenopausal survivors of breast cancer. This adds to evidence that dietary soy may reduce risks related to cancer.
Doxycycline Treatment in Early Breast Cancer
10-23-2019 A pilot study demonstrates that administering doxycycline before surgery reduces cancer stem cells, building on a separate study showing that vitamin C and berberine optimize doxycycline’s anticancer effects. Could the combination benefit our patients?
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Breast Cancer
10-23-2019 A recent study adds support to the the extensive positive data for the use of omega-3 supplementation during standard chemotherapy and clinical outcomes.
Honest Placebo: Good Medicine for Cancer-Related Fatigue?
10-23-2019 The improvement of subjective cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors by placebo may involve the dopamine system.
Esophageal Cancer: Treatment with Radiation, Oral Vitamin C, Chemotherapy and the Effects on Inflammatory Markers
10-23-2019 A recent study that considers the effects of vitamin C on inflammatory markers in patients undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer represents the type of real-world clinical scenario most naturopathic doctors see in their practices—a combination of conventional and naturopathic treatments.
Eryngium caucasicum Improves Primary Dysmenorrhea
10-02-2019 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study shows that a traditional Middle Eastern herb is as effective as ibuprofen in reducing menstrual pain.
Rotavirus Vaccination Lowers Diabetes Risk in Children
10-02-2019 Analysis of a national database in Australia shows a lower incidence of type 1 diabetes among children after the initiation of routine vaccination against rotavirus.
Cardiometabolic Benefits of Residential Green Space
10-02-2019 Exposure to natural environments may have beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health beyond those ascribable to greater physical activity and improved air quality.
The Antioxidant N-Acetyl-cysteine Improves Sperm Quality
10-02-2019 Daily supplementation with N-acetyl-cysteine for 3 months in men with abnormal sperm improved sperm quality and reduced markers of oxidative stress, which may contribute to male infertility.
Gratitude Diary Improves Mood in Suicidal Inpatients
09-05-2019 In a recent randomized controlled trial involving suicidal inpatients, patients who recorded their appreciation for simple gifts or pleasures in a “gratitude diary” showed greater improvements in hope and optimism than those who kept a food diary.
Vitamin K Status and Mobility in Older Adults
09-04-2019 Longitudinal cohort study of older adults shows an association between low vitamin K levels and mobility.
Curcumin with Turmeric Essential Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis
09-04-2019 Randomized trial finds curcumin with turmeric essential oil is just as effective as diclofenac for the treatment of knee pain from osteoarthritis, with fewer adverse effects. The curcumin/turmeric combination could be a safe and effective NSAID alternative.
Blueberries Improve Cardiometabolic Function
09-04-2019 Study finds that the equivalent of 1 cup of blueberries per day improves high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and vascular endothelial factors, which could reduce cardiovascular event risk by 11% or more.