Month: November 2013
The Use Of Probiotics for The Treatment Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Two Case Reports
Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS) is defined as a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that includes a combination of chronic or recurrent GI symptoms that cannot be explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities…
For the Assessment of Intestinal Permeability, Size Matters
The purpose of this review is to demonstrate that an intestine leaky to small molecules can be impermeable to large antigenic molecules. The author proposes that the permeability of the epithelium to very small sugar molecules such as lactulose/mannitol—used for the past 50 years to gauge intestinal permeability…
Bromelain Limits Airway Inflammation
Allergic asthma continues to increase despite new pharmacological advances for both acute treatment and chronic-disease management. Asthma is a multifactorial disease process with genetic, allergic, infectious, environmental, and dietary origins. Researchers are investigating the benefits of lifestyle changes and alternative asthma treatments, including the ability of bromelain to inhibit inflammation. Bromelain is a commonly used, proteolytically active pineapple extract.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity Of The Hexane Extract Of Byrsonima Crassifolia Seeds In Experimental Animal Models
Bach Flower Therapy In The Treatment Of Chronic Major Depressive Disorder
Bach flower remedies are a unique form of energy medicine that has become increasingly popular among alternative healthcare professionals; they are classified as homeopathic remedies in the United States and are part of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS). Discovered by the English physician Edward Bach during the 1930s, the 38 flower tinctures are believed to heal emotional…
Unani Medicine – Part 1 of 3
Healing Cancer in a Holistic Environment, Interview with Karin Whitney Cooke
Karin Whitney Cooke, RN, president and cofounder of Kokolulu Farm and Cancer Retreats, Inc in Hawaii, is a cancer survivor and a registered nurse with 40 years of experience and research in allopathic as well as complementary and alternative medicines…
Organic vs Conventionally Grown Foods
The Annals of Internal Medicine recently published a review by Dr Crystal Smith-Spangler and others titled: “Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives?” The article states: “The purpose of this study is to comprehensively synthesize the published literature on the health, nutritional, and safety characteristics of organic and conventional foods…
Massage Increases Oxytocin, Reduces Adrenocorticotropin
Human beings are highly social creatures who often touch each other during social interactions. Although the physiologic effects of touch are not understood fully, it appears to sustain social bonds and to increase cooperative behaviors. Oxytocin (OT) is a hormone known to facilitate social bonding, and touch may affect OT release. Previous studies seeking to relate massage and oxytocin in humans have been inconsistent in their findings.
Clinical Utility of Curcumin Extract
Turmeric root has been used medicinally in China and India for thousands of years. The active components are thought to be the curcuminoids, primarily curcumin, which is commonly available worldwide as a standardized extract. This article reviews the pharmacology of curcuminoids, their use and efficacy, potential adverse effects, and dosage and standardization….