Abstracts & Commmentary
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?
Fish Oil Supplementation in Adults With Hematological Malignancies
10-24-2018 In a recent controlled trial, 9 weeks of fish oil supplementation improved survival and reduced markers of inflammation in patients with blood cancers.
A Role for Protein Intake Before Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
10-24-2018 Muscle wasting and loss of muscle strength are common in the posttransplant period. In an encouraging study, consumption of a whey-soy blend in addition to a nutritional diet had positive effects on serum protein levels, muscle mass, and muscle strength in posttransplant patients.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
10-03-2018 Prior research has shown that anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A fascinating study discovers that AMH levels remain elevated during pregnancy and provides evidence of effects on fetal development.
Early to Supper and Late to Bed May Lower Cancer Risk
10-03-2018 Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” According to a new study on circadian rhythms and cancer risk, early to supper may be better health advice (the study does not address wealth and wisdom).
Expectations and Placebo Effect in Allergic Rhinitis
10-03-2018 Study finds that placebo can improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, while positive expectations can have beneficial effects on subjective well-being.
Natural Eggshell Membrane Improves Post-Exercise Pain and Stiffness
10-03-2018 In a recent clinical trial eggshell membrane (ESM) significantly improved exercise-related joint pain and stiffness, supporting reports that ESM has chondroprotective effects and underscoring its clinical potential for patients with inflammatory joint disease.
Nanocurcumin and Riluzole for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
09-05-2018 Study finds that nanocurcumin is safe and may improve outcomes in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), especially in those with bulbar ALS.
Intravenous Application of Mistletoe Extract
09-05-2018 Mistletoe extract is a widely used natural cancer therapy, typically as an adjunct to conventional therapy, but evidence suggests its benefits and safety vary according to route of administration. A phase I study set out to answer questions about the safety and tolerability of intravenously administered mistletoe.
Fructose Consumption Linked to Asthma
09-05-2018 The Framingham Heart Study has collected data from thousands of participants since its inception in 1948, generating a vast amount of data. A recent study used data from a subset of participants to analyze associations between fructose-containing drinks and incidence of asthma. The results give practitioners even more reason to discourage consumption of beverages such as soda and apple juice.
Greening Vacant Lots as a Cost-Effective Mental Health Intervention in Underserved Populations
09-05-2018 Turning empty urban lots into green spaces appears to improve nearby residents’ psychological wellbeing, according to a recent study. The depression-alleviating effects are even greater among those below the poverty line.
Ketogenic Diet Improves Seizures
08-15-2018 Prospective clinical trial demonstrates the antiseizure effects of a ketogenic diet. Could a shift in the gut biome be responsible for the effects?
Synbiotic Supplementation for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
08-15-2018 Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Results from a recent trial suggest that synbiotic supplementation may improve glycemic control and moderate lipid levels, which could reduce diabetes and cardiovascular risks in women with PCOS.
Vitamins Might Help After Heart Attacks
08-15-2018 A subgroup analysis of the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) suggests a high-dose oral multivitamin (OMV) may provide protection from cardiovascular events for some, but not all, post-MI patients.
Fiber Feeds Bacteria to Control Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
08-15-2018 In a randomized clinical trial, participants with type 2 diabetes consuming a high-fiber diet showed better glycemic control, an expected finding. But the mechanism underlying fiber’s benefits, as suggested in the study, challenge conventional wisdom.
Breast Tissue Microbiota
08-13-2018 Naturopathic practitioners have long assumed that breast tissue, conventionally assumed to be sterile, harbored bacteria. Evidence from recent studies supports the existence of a distinct breast microbiome. A new study by Hieken et al compared the breast microbiome in benign breast disease to the microbiome in cancerous breast tissue, with fascinating observations.
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate and Facial Dysmorphology in Trisomy 21
08-01-2018 Study finds that low-dose epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) improves facial dysmorphology associated with trisomy-21 in mouse genetic models and human subjects.
Do Cruciferous Vegetables Contribute to Endometriosis?
08-01-2018 A prospective dietary study of a large cohort of women seeks to determine the influence of fruit and vegetable consumption on risk of endometriosis. One explanation of the surprising findings supports the role of gut inflammation in the genesis of endometriosis.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet as Treatment for Type I Diabetes in Children
07-05-2018 Impressive results from a survey conducted via a social media site for people with type 1 diabetes who follow a very low carbohydrate diet (VLCD). Can a VLCD achieve better glycemic control than conventional care?
Elevated Biotin Intake May Interfere with Laboratory Assays
07-05-2018 In 2017 the US Food and Drug Administration issued a report that laboratory results from patients on high doses of biotin could be misleading due to biotin’s interaction with the assay process. A recent study set out to determine the effects of varied doses of biotin on several of the most vulnerable tests.