Abstracts & Commmentary
Diet, Supplements, and Parkinson’s Disease
12-06-2017 With few conventional treatment options, patients with Parkinson’s disease may turn to natural medicine. A new study evaluates the benefit of diet and supplements on disease progression.
Do B Vitamins Cause Lung Cancer?
11-15-2017 Study finds that B vitamins are associated with lung cancer, but only some B vitamins, in some men, in some smokers.
Phytotherapy in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer
11-15-2017 A randomized, controlled trial tests the effects of green tea, resveratrol, broccoli sprouts, and turmeric in men with prostate cancer. Results were unimpressive but the study is not without merit.
Coriolus versicolor in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
11-15-2017 Can Coriolus versicolor extract help patients with advanced liver cancers? Results from a randomized controlled trial are not robust, but may lay groundwork for future studies.
OPERA Supplementation for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
11-15-2017 A small prospective study finds a combination of alpha lipoic acid, Boswellia serrata, methylsulfonylmethane, and bromelain improves symptoms in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Clinical Efficacy of Topical Indigo naturalis in Psoriasis
11-01-2017 Placebo-controlled trial not only supports efficacy of topical Indigo as natural therapy for psoriasis, but also elucidates its mechanism of action.
Bread and the Microbiome: A Personal Matter
11-01-2017 A randomized trial compares glycemic responses to industrially made white bread with responses to traditionally made whole grain sourdough and underscores the importance of genetic diversity in the gut microbiome.
High-Fat vs High-Carbohydrate Diet and Cardiovascular Disease
11-01-2017 Cholesterol and fat have long been considered enemies of cardiovascular health. Have carbohydrates been wolves in sheep’s clothing?
Melatonin for Heart Attack Recovery
11-01-2017 Melatonin as a natural intervention to speed recovery after a heart attack is appealing. Although a recent study is not encouraging, other evidence supports its potential.
Could Quercetin Help Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
11-01-2017 Insulin resistance is a feature of polycystic ovary disease (PCOS), and adiponectin increases insulin sensitivity. A new study finds quercetin increases adiponectin levels. Could quercetin have clinical benefit for women with PCOS?
Probiotic Supplementation in Gestational Diabetes
10-04-2017 A randomized trial pits probiotics against placebo in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Will probiotics improve outcomes in this vulnerable population?
Genomics, the Mind, and the Gut
10-04-2017 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) benefits some patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Could a genetic test help identify which IBS patients would benefit the most?
The Mediterranean Diet in Fatty Liver Disease
10-04-2017 Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with a high-fat, high-calorie diet. Can a lifestyle change reverse the pathology?
Prevention of Pediatric Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
10-04-2017 The evidence for a link between vitamin D deficiency and pediatric respiratory tract infections is murky. A recent randomized trial further muddies the waters.
The Mediterranean Diet in Australia
09-06-2017 We know that adherence to a Mediterranean diet benefits health, but the mixed results of a new study in Australians may leave us with more questions than answers.
Vitamin D and Calcium May Reduce Risk of Early Menopause
09-06-2017 Data gleaned from a large sample of women suggests dietary vitamin D and calcium protect ovaries from premature aging.
Vitamin K2 (MK-7) Supplementation in Hemodialysis Patients
09-06-2017 Vitamin K deficiency puts patients at risk for vascular calcification, which increases their risk of a cardiovascular event. Can vitamin K supplementation help?
Sulforaphane for Glucose Control in Diabetics
09-06-2017 Using gene signature matching, investigators identify a novel “drug” to address overproduction of glucose in type 2 diabetes. One more reason to eat your broccoli.
Betalain-rich Concentrate Improves Exercise Performance
08-23-2017 A new double-blind, randomized trial yields expected results: beet juice improves athletic performance. But the proposed mechanism of action? Unexpected.
Informed Prostate Cancer Patients Have Less Regret Following Treatment
08-23-2017 A new study highlights the importance of informing men about the complexities and nuances associated with cancer treatment options. Patients who fully understand treatment side effects, quality of life issues, recurrence risk, healthy lifestyle practices, and other aspects of care have less regret in both the short-term and long-term.