Abstracts & Commmentary
Soy and Breast Cancer
06-07-2017 In the past, clinicians have discouraged women with a history of breast cancer from consuming soy products, based on what we now know is misleading evidence. Add this recent epidemiological study to mounting evidence that soy is safe and may even reduce mortality for some women.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Metastatic Melanoma
06-07-2017 Many naturopathic clinicians encourage their melanoma patients to avoid sun exposure and supplement with vitamin D. Results from a recent study support these recommendations.
Natural Treatments for Anxiety and Depression
05-03-2017 Prescription antidepressants are only marginally effective for mild to moderate depression, and anxiolytic medications, though effective in the short term, have a number of potential adverse effects. An encouraging study found a holistic, naturopathic approach significantly reduced symptoms of both anxiety and depression in its patient population.
Beneficial Microbe Repairs and Protects Against Aspirin-Induced Injury
05-03-2017 Although low-dose aspirin (LDA) reduces cardiovascular risk and may even help prevent certain cancers, it can wreak havoc on the stomach and small bowel. Could adding lactobacillus-rich yogurt to the diet help protect the gut lining from LDA damage?
Are Cancer Survivorship Care Plans Doing More Harm Than Good?
05-03-2017 Survivorship Care Plans are intended to facilitate efficient continuity of care and to provide cancer survivors with a resource to address treatment-related symptoms and risk reduction. But a recent study shows they may be causing undue anxiety instead.
Coffee and Hypertension
05-03-2017 Some of us get “the jitters” when we drink too much coffee, so we intuitively expect the relationship between coffee consumption and blood pressure to be positively linear. Results from a recent study say otherwise.
Effects of Forest Bathing on Elderly COPD Patients
05-03-2017 Exciting results from a novel study investigating the effects of Shinrin-yoku in patients with respiratory disease elevate the potential clinical applications of forest bathing—but also raise more questions.
Urtica Benefits Women with Diabetes
04-19-2017 A recent randomized controlled trial finds extract of stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) superior to placebo in reducing fasting plasma glucose in women with diabetes.
Fenugreek Standardized Extract for Menopausal Symptoms
04-19-2017 Fenugreek seed has a long history of medicinal use, and recent research suggests it has activity in hormone-mediated conditions. A new placebo-controlled trial shows that fenugreek extract substantially and significantly improves a range of menopause-related symptoms.
Inositol, Betaine, and Boswellia for Breast Health
04-19-2017 Breast lumps and breast pain are common concerns among premenopausal women. In a recent randomized controlled trial, familiar, readily available supplements significantly improved breast symptoms.
Artificial Light at Night Increases Breast Cancer Risk
04-19-2017 A recent observational study generated maps that color coded high to low levels of light at night, as well as breast cancer incidence, per census tract. As hypothesized, more cases occurred in the urban and high-population areas.
Urban Air Pollution and Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes, and Obesity
04-05-2017 Preventing diabetes—a breath of fresh air? A recent trial raises diabetes concerns for people living in urban environments.
Electric Bicycles Increase Fitness
04-05-2017 Using an electrically assisted bicycle to commute to work for even 1 month may have measurable health benefits.
Olfaction, Radioactive Iodine, and Salivation
04-05-2017 According to a recent randomized controlled trial, aromatherapy may be helpful in treating radiation-induced dry mouth.
Nigella sativa Supports Healing in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
04-05-2017 Placebo-controlled study demonstrates positive effects of Nigella sativa (also known as black cumin), supporting its use in the management of both endocrine and immune disorders.
Do Low FODMAP Diets Work for IBS-D?
03-01-2017 A second trial of a low FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is as inconclusive as the first, leaving lingering questions about the helpfulness of this diet for patients with IBS.
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
03-01-2017 A trial of the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) yields convincing results: 8 out of 10 children who adhered to the SCD for 12 weeks obtained clinical remission.
Vitamin B12 and Tinnitus
03-01-2017 Pilot study shows vitamin B12 improved tinnitus, possibly revealing a new mechanism for treating neuronal inflammation.
Topical EGCG for Radiation Dermatitis
02-01-2017 Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol abundant in green tea, appears to soothe the red, burning, painful, itchy skin associated with radiation therapy.
Vitamin D in Miscarriage Prevention
02-01-2017 Randomized controlled trial shows vitamin D supplementation reduces pregnancy losses and provides clues to the mechanism of action.