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13/11/09 -
Tomatoes offer key to weight loss
Move over starving
diets and strict exercise regimes -- the key to weight loss could
simply be eating lots of tomatoes, experts believe. According
to researchers, the fruit leaves the eater feeling satisfied, and
thus suppresses the urge to snack, which is one of a slimmer's main
pitfalls, reports The Daily Express. It is thought that
tomatoes are rich in compounds, which alter levels of appetite
hormones, making them an easy way to keep off hunger pangs. To
reach the conclusion, researchers at Reading University in London
fed 17 women sandwiches made with white bread, bread enriched with
carrots or with tomatoes. The tomato bread proved the most filling,
the researchers found. Project leader Dr Julie Lovegrove said:
"We can't yet say what the crucial ingredient is, but the results
were statistically significant."
13/11/09 -
A cure for ADHD?
One out of four
cases of ADHD eliminated. It almost sounds too good to be true.
Nevertheless, a report in the preeminent journal Pediatrics suggests
it's possible. What needs to happen for this to occur? Some
new miracle drug or radical kind of psychotherapy? Nope. All it
could take is treatment of children's snoring. ADHD is defined
by a list of symptoms, so if a kid has those symptoms, then he
likely has the disorder. But what causes those symptoms may vary
from child to child. And sleep disorders could be one of those
causes. University of Michigan professor Ronald M. Chervin is
one of the world's leaders in investigating sleep's role in ADHD.
According to Dr. Chervin, unlike adults who suffer from sleep
problems, sleep-disordered children are hyperactive. The version of
this we're all familiar with is the crabby toddler who skipped his
nap. When it gets more serious, as in the case of the kids Chervin
sees in his lab, they are "bouncing off the walls. We treat these
kids with a stimulant. Giving them a sedative just makes them worse.
That showed that something else was going on."
10/11/09 -
Medical QiGong Improves Quality of Life With Cancer
Somebody asked me what I would do if I had cancer. Would I try
alternative treatments in addition to traditional therapies? Since I
haven't walked a mile in those shoes, I can't say, but statistics
tell me I would. The majority of people with cancer have considered
complementary therapies. How do we know what works?
Thankfully, many alternative treatments are now being given the 3rd
degree of well-designed studies. This week, qigong appears to have
passed the test as an alternative therapy that can improve quality
of life for those living with cancer.
9/11/09 -
Patients, Doctors Embrace the Web
The Internet is changing the way physicians interact with their
patients.
A man walks into a hospital urology department for a consultation on
prostate cancer screening. The man, an executive type, makes it
clear that he will only meet with the department chairman. After 30
minutes, he emerges from the chairman's office; it is clear that the
meeting has not gone well. It turns out that the man is upset the
institution does not offer the advanced screening tools described in
the Internet printouts the man is carrying in a large file folder.
Apparently the man could not accept that the “digital” in “digital
rectal examination” refers to a finger, not a high-end
computer-based medical device.
09/11/09 -
Psoriatic
Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joints that
occurs in some people with a chronic skin and nail condition known
as psoriasis. Psoriasis causes flare-ups of raised patches of skin
covered with silvery scales. The onset of psoriasis may occur at any
age but is most commonly seen between the ages of 15 and 50 years.
Psoriatic arthritis can be noted before or after the skin lesions
appear.
What is going on in the body?
People with psoriasis may develop arthritis that causes destruction
of various joints. The lining of the joint, the synovium, becomes
inflamed. It reacts by producing extra synovial fluid, resulting in
a swollen joint. The smooth white surface of the joint, the hyaline
cartilage, can become thin, worn, and rough.
09/11/09 -
EU grants nearly 1.5 million euros for complementary medicine
research network
TUM university
hospital will coordinate the 12-nation project - A three-year
project called CAMbrella will receive nearly 1.5 million euros of
European Union funding to establish a research network for the study
of complementary medicine. The center for complementary medicine
research at "Rechts der Isar," the university hospital of the
Technische Universitaet Muenchen will coordinate the project for the
winning applicant group, which includes 16 scientific organizations
from 12 European countries. The project will begin in January 2010.
CAMbrella stands for an umbrella of research projects in
Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
"In complementary and alternative medicine there is a lack of
sponsorship for research. In Germany, no governmental funding has
been provided since 1996. CAMbrella will play an important role to
overcome this deficit," agree project leader Dr. Wolfgang
Weidenhammer and Dr. Dieter Melchart, leader of the center.
09/11/09 -
Alternative medicine is becoming mainstream
Many Americans are
choosing to treat themselves using nontraditional methods, but to
what end?
Leon Wittman tweaked his shoulder in 1994 while attempting to keep
his basement from flooding during a thunderstorm by scooping water
out of a window well with a bucket.
His left arm began to ache. He realized about a year later that he
rarely used it anymore and could no longer comfortably sleep on that
side. A physician said the only cure was surgery.
Wittman and his wife Charlene have always shied away from
physicians, preferring to "maintain a good attitude, drink lots of
water and figure things out on our own," as he puts it. And so he
opted instead to try a pain relief supplement that included
acetaminophen, alfalfa, cramp bark and valerian root -- which, he
says, improved his shoulder within a month. The Shawnee, Kan., man
now takes a glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM supplement.
Many Americans like Wittman choose to treat themselves with
complementary and alternative medicine in lieu of surgery,
pharmaceuticals or other traditional care. Their numbers have been
steadily climbing over the last decade. According to a July study
from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
based on interviews with more than 23,300 adults during the 2007
National Health Interview Survey, almost 40% of adults use some form
of complementary and alternative medicine to treat a variety of
conditions.
06/11/09 -
Medical QiGong Improves Quality of Life With Cancer
Somebody asked me what I would do if I had cancer. Would I try
alternative treatments in addition to traditional therapies? Since I
haven't walked a mile in those shoes, I can't say, but statistics
tell me I would. The majority of people with cancer have considered
complementary therapies. How do we know what works?
Thankfully, many alternative treatments are now being given the 3rd
degree of well-designed studies. This week, qigong appears to have
passed the test as an alternative therapy that can improve quality
of life for those living with cancer.
21/10/09
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Healthy, wealthy and wise
More companies are realizing that wellness programs make very good
business sense
The nature of work has changed dramatically over the last half
century. "Knowledge workers," a term first coined by business
philosopher Peter Drucker in the 1950s, have replaced industrial
labourers as the backbone of most corporations. In his seminal book,
Landmarks of Tomorrow, Drucker used the term mostly to describe IT
personnel, such as programmers, systems analysts, technical writers
and researchers. Today, it can refer to just about anyone using a
university degree at work, including financial analysts, lawyers and
scientists. Knowledge workers now permeate every industry. No
company is without them. They give businesses a competitive edge and
are key to a healthy, productive economy.
Yet the changing nature of work is making many of them sick. While
the corporate world spent 50 years developing exercise, benefit and
insurance programs geared to the occupational health and safety of
industrial employees--programs that are still in place
today--experts say the well-being of knowledge workers is suffering.
15/10/09 -
Natural
remedies are all the rage as flu fears increase
Mardy Ross is thinking
about downing some "poison cocktails" this fall.
The daily glasses of milk spiked with a few drops of iodine worked
in 1918 when her physician great-grandfather was treating patients
during the Spanish flu epidemic.
So what's to say they won't help ward off H1N1?
As this quirky flu of unknown severity bears down and a vaccine
remains weeks or months away from distribution, proactive people
like Ross are going beyond the standard hand-washing and
cough-avoiding recommendations.
They are turning to natural remedies ranging from garlic and goji
berries to "swamp tea" and duck liver dilutions to fend off a flu
that some still call "swine flu" because it originates in pigs.
15/10/09 -
No
Convincing Evidence Reflexology Works
An extensive review
has failed to find good evidence which convincingly demonstrates
reflexology (a practice involving applying pressure to, or,
massaging feet) is an effective treatment for any medical
conditions.
Details of the review, conducted by Dr Edzard Ernst, Director of
Complementary Medicine at the Peninsula Medical School in the United
Kingdom, were published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
"There is little doubt that a foot massage is pleasantly relaxing,
however specific medical claims should always be supported by sound
evidence," Dr Ernst said.
08/09/09 -
Feeling
excessively anxious? Help is available
Everyone encounters people who are prone to anxiety, worry and
fearful anticipation of life situations. These "worriers" often get
reassured, encouraged, debated with and eventually labeled as
"negative" people. The partner of the anxious individual as well as
family members and friends become discouraged about being able to
cheer up the fretful person.
Most people tend to become anxious and worried when they face
challenging, uncertain circumstances. Doubt and concern during times
of health, financial or situational crises, are natural responses.
Yet, it is important to distinguish normal anxiety in the face of
challenges from an overwhelming, exhausting, chronic state of worry.
08/09/09 -
Complementary Therapies for Those of Us 50+
The gap between alternative and conventional medical treatments is
closing as complementary therapies merge with the mainstream.
Branching from alternative medicine, complementary medicine is used
along with conventional medicine.
Awareness and popularity of complementary therapies grow as more and
more people find new levels of health and well-being from these
natural, non-invasive, drug-free treatments. Complementary medical
therapies such as acupuncture, Reiki and massage therapy can ease
many of the common health conditions that mature adults and seniors
may have - arthritis, osteoporosis, sciatica, high blood pressure,
stress, insomnia, fibromyalgia and everyday aches and pains. These
therapies can also increase energy, vitality, mental clarity and
have profound, even life-changing effects.
08/09/09 -
Prize honours alternative medicine
The $250,000 Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Complementary and
Alternative Medicine highlights the important contributions of
researchers, practitioners and others in this field. Funded by
Vancouver’s Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, the Dr. Rogers
Prize is awarded every two years and is the largest of its kind in
North America.
The Dr. Rogers Prize recognizes those who embody the same level of
vision, leadership and integrity as that of Dr. Roger Rogers. As a
Canadian pioneer in CAM who was among the first to provide non-
traditional therapies for cancer patients, Dr. Rogers was appointed
to the Order of British Columbia in recognition of his ground
breaking work.
08/09/09 -
The
most popular therapies for the most common ailments
10 most frequently reported medical conditions for which CAM is
used:
Allergies, back or neck problems, arthritis or rheumatism,
difficulty walking, frequent headaches, lung problems, digestive
problems, gynecological problems, anxiety attacks, heart problems or
chest pain.
10 most commonly used alternative therapies in Canada:
Chiropractic care, massage, relaxation techniques, prayer/spiritual
practice, acupuncture, yoga, herbal therapies, special diet
programs, energy healing, naturopathy.
08/09/09 -
Yoga Classes Help Relieve Chronic Back Pain
Yoga classes helped people with chronic lower back pain improve
their mood and ability to function and eased their pain more than
conventional treatment alone, according to a new study funded by the
National Institutes of Health.
People who were assigned to take yoga for two months experienced a
29% reduction in functional disability (P=0.01) and a 42% reduction
in pain (P<0.001), the authors reported in the Sept. 1 issue of
Spine. Yoga was also associated with a 45.7% decrease in symptoms of
depression over conventional therapy alone (P<0.001) .
"Yoga improves functional disability, pain intensity, and depression
in adults with [chronic lower back pain]," Kimberly Williams, PhD,
of West Virginia University, and colleagues concluded. "There was
also a clinically important trend for the yoga group to reduce their
pain medication usage compared to the control group."
08/09/09 -
Chelation Therapy is at heart of debate
After a stress test and scan showed no immediate problems with Tom
Kohlmeier's heart 10 years ago, doctors offered little advice other
than: Watch your blood pressure and cholesterol. That was not enough
for Kohlmeier, now 58. He wanted to do more to protect his heart.
His doctor referred him to Dr. Dale Guyer, who recommended chelation
therapy. Since then, every few weeks, Kohlmeier visits Guyer's Nora
office for a session. A nurse inserts an IV, and over the next 45
minutes as Kohlmeier reads, a substance drips into his veins that he
and others believe preserves cardiac health.
But not everyone is convinced. For years, controversy has brewed
over whether chelation therapy, an FDA-approved treatment for heavy
metal toxicity, has any role in preventing or treating heart
disease.
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