Month: May 2019
Glucosamine Supplementation May Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Glucosamine is a popular non-vitamin, non-mineral supplement widely used for osteoarthritis and joint pain. While the effectiveness of glucosamine in patients with osteoarthritis and joint pain is well known, emerging evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that glucosamine could have a role in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reducing mortality. A previousRead
Pelargonium Sidoides Root Extract Is Effective and Safe in Patients with the Common Cold
Study Validates 16th Century Traditional Chinese Medicine Use of Ginkgo Biloba as a Topical Antimicrobial
Extracts from the seeds of the Ginkgo biloba tree show antibacterial activity on pathogens that can cause skin infections such as acne, psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema, according to a study from Emory University. Frontiers in Microbiology published the results of laboratory experiments showing that the extracts inhibit the growth ofRead
New Study Says Egg Consumption Does Not Contribute to Stroke
In recent months the humble egg has taken a beating. In April, a study suggested that daily egg consumption posed a heart health risk. A new study from Finland, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, counters this theory and shows that a moderately high intake of dietary cholesterolRead
How Much Functional Collagen Can Be Added to the Diet and Maintain Indispensable Amino Acid Balance?
In recent years, collagen has become the go-to dietary supplement for morning smoothies and coffee as well as afternoon energy drinks for adults of all ages and fitness levels. Collagen peptides are well-established as a source of functional peptides with biological activity, such as improving skin elasticity, recovering lost cartilageRead
Non-Probiotics Associated with Improved Anxiety Symptoms Over Just Probiotics
On Today’s Practitioner, we’ve been a champion of reporting on the importance of regulating gut bacteria for mood disorders (see our Mood and Microbiome Resource Center here). A review study including 1,500 participants, published in General Psychiatry, showed that anxiety symptoms might be reduced by taking steps to regulate theRead
US Medicine as a Game of Thrones: The Houses of Volume, of Value, and of Integrative Health
I recently gave a commencement talk at Northwestern Health Sciences University, the day before Episode One of the last season of Game of Thrones. I chose to inject the sacredness of that day by referencing that other world by presenting the landscape of health and medicine that the graduates wereRead
Commentary: One Third of Cancer Patients Use Complementary and Alternative Therapies, but Don’t Tell Their Physicians
As a recovered cancer patient, who used integrative treatment options during my care and do so today for recovery, I wasn’t surprised by a recent JAMA Oncology study showing that one-third of cancer patients use complementary and alternative therapies, such as such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and supplements.Read
Colorectal Cancer Incidence on the Rise among Young Adults in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand
We recently reported an animal study showing that high-fructose corn syrup may be a contributing factor to the rising rates of colon and rectal cancer among young adults. A new observational study from The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal looked at long-term data for colon and rectal cancer incidence inRead
Stress Accelerates Aging Among First-Year Medical Residency Students
A new study, published in Biological Psychiatry, by University of Michigan Medical School suggests that during the first year of medical residency for doctors is so stressful that it accelerates cellular aging. It’s the first longitudinal study of people exposed to such prolonged stress. Stress is a key precipitant forRead
