Category: Health/Natural

New natural treatments may help improve the quality of life for more than 21 million osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers, according to new research presented at the 2009 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo. Studies show that a novel, natural chicken derivative is more effective and longer-lasting than traditional chondroitin and glucosamine treatments.

Osteoarthritis causes localized joint inflammation, often with crippling effects. Conventional medicines used to treat OA include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, which can cause gastric injury. Alternatives such as rofecoxib and valdecoxib increase the rise of cardiovascular dysfunctions, including stroke. The new natural arthritis treatments do not have these side effects, making them more appealing to those with arthritis symptoms.

Several recent studies show that yoga helps alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and even post traumatic stress disorder. Safe, affordable, and accessible, yoga is a natural solution to the stress response.

The impact of the current economic recession on our mental well-being is clear: we're stressed out. Here are just a few examples:

• Nearly one in five women said their work hours have increased during the recession, and half feel more stress because of the economy. (Adecco Group North America, April 22-24, 2009)
• In one poll of more than 1,000 Americans, 25% said they were more likely to eat high-calorie food because of the economic downturn. In one example, a nurse who couldn't find a job found her way to her refrigerator more often instead, gaining 30 pounds in two months. (Forbes Woman, Feb 20 2009)
• In a recent poll, 80 percent of the population surveyed reported the economy is causing them significant stress, up from 66 percent last April. The National Sleep Foundation said 27 percent of people surveyed last fall had sleeplessness because of economic anxiety. (American Psychological Association, September 2008)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline calls jumped to 50,158 in January 2009 from 39,465 a month in January 2008, and economic stress more frequently "played a central role," said Richard McKeon, the group's federal project officer. (New York Times, April 8 2009)

Chinese researchers have unlocked the mechanism of an emerging mind-body technique that produces measurable changes in attention and stress reduction in just five days of practice.

Integrative body-mind training (IBMT) was adapted from traditional Chinese medicine in the 1990s in China, where it is practiced by thousands of people. It is now being taught to undergraduates involved in research on the method at the University of Oregon.

A noted gastroenterologist offers tips for treatment.

As many as 90 million cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) affect Americans each year, according to eMedicine from WebMD. AGE, an inflammation of the digestive tract, is often caused by a viral, bacterial or parasitic infection. Victims are usually hit by sudden onset diarrhea, and the most common response is to seek drugs that will make it stop - immediately!

Three types of acupuncture therapy appear more effective than usual care for chronic low back pain.

Three types of acupuncture therapy - an individually tailored program, standard therapy and a simulation involving toothpicks at key acupuncture points - appear more effective than usual care for chronic low back pain, according to a report in the May 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine>, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Findings from a "Journal of Urology" study conducted at Loyola University Health System revealed that cognitive therapy is an effective management strategy for urge incontinence.

After nine years of suffering in silence and living in fear of leaving the house, Anna Raisor, 53, turned to physicians at Loyola University Health System (LUHS) for alternative measures to treat the embarrassing side effects of incontinence.

An herb recently found to kill pancreatic cancer cells also appears to inhibit development of pancreatic cancer as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. The data was presented at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009 in Denver.

Thymoquinone, the major constituent of the oil extract from a Middle Eastern herbal seed called Nigella sativa, exhibited anti-inflammatory properties that reduced the release of inflammatory mediators in pancreatic cancer cells, according to Hwyda Arafat, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Surgery at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and a member of the Jefferson Pancreatic, Biliary & Related Cancers Center.

A new Cochrane review did not find serious side effects relating to the use of homeopathic medicine in patients having orthodox cancer care. Although it is not intended to treat cancer, patients sometimes turn to homeopathic medicine to prevent or ease side effects arising from cancer treatments.

A new Cochrane review did not find serious side effects relating to the use of homeopathic medicine in patients having orthodox cancer care. “Furthermore, there was no indication that the homeopathic medicine interfered with conventional cancer care,” said lead author Sosie Kassab, M.D., director of Complementary Cancer Services at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital.

Up to 80 percent of patients who have surgery complain of nausea and vomiting afterwards, but stimulating an acupoint in their wrists can help reduce these symptoms, finds a new evidence review.

Treatment for nausea and vomiting after surgery and anesthesia typically calls for the use of anti-nausea (antiemetic) medications. However, the cost and side effects of these medications have raised interest in finding more simple and noninvasive ways to prevent the symptoms. The aim of a recent systematic review was to determine whether stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point is an effective option.

Soap, vinegar and bleach go a long way in making a home sweet home, says a Saint Louis University germ expert.

If you’ve been putting off spring cleaning because you don’t want to spend a fortune on supplies this year, a Saint Louis University germ expert says it’s time to stop procrastinating.