Patients with the mysterious condition fibromyalgia appear to significantly benefit more from exercise and relaxation
techniques than from medications.
That's according to a new study from researchers at the
University of Missouri in Columbia. They studied data on
more than 2,000 patients in a total of 49 studies to
compare the effects of drug and nondrug therapies. Patients
took medications that included antidepressants, muscle
relaxants, and nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. The
nondrug techniques used in the studies include aerobic
exercise, relaxation and behavioral techniques.
Patients on the nondrug track said they were better able to
function each day and felt less pain, fatigue and stiffness
compared to patients who relied on medications. "Optimal
treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome should include
nonpharmacological interventions," concludes lead research
Lynn A. Rossy, "especially exercise and cognitive
behavioral therapy, in addition to appropriate medication
management, as needed, for sleep and pain
symptoms."
Little is known about fibromyalgia, a rheumatic disorder
that causes muscle pain and fatigue. This report appears in
the August 31 issue of Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
Smokers who want to reduce their risk for heart disease or
stroke should consider taking vitamin E and vitamin C
supplements.
A new study presented this week at the European Society of
Cardiology in Barcelona, Spain, found heavy smokers can
slow the progression of plaque buildup, known as
atherosclerosis, in their carotid arteries by taking
vitamins E and C. Researchers also reported some
vitamin-popping men who smoked an average of 18 cigarettes
a day (about one pack) experienced a 93 percent reduction
in the rate of plaque buildup, compared to heavy smokers
not taking vitamins.
The findings are based on a three-year study conducted by
researchers at the University of Kuopio in Finland. Smokers
took 200 mg. of vitamin E and 500 mg. of vitamin C daily --
or took nothing -- during the course of the study.
Researchers compared ultrasound images of carotid arteries
from both groups.
Other physicians attending the conference say smokers
should not rely on vitamins to protect them from
cardiovascular problems. Nor is there any evidence to
suggest vitamins can protect smokers from cancer,
particularly lung cancer.
Yummy News for Chocolate Lovers
Now here's news you can use: A taste test shows there's "no significant difference" between low-fat and regular chocolate ice cream. Vanilla and chocolate are the top two ice cream flavors in the United States. What's unique about chocolate is that it is made of several chemicals that help produce its distinct flavor. So when the fat is skimmed from chocolate ice cream, researchers from the University of Missouri say, chocolate's strong flavor makes up for the loss with taste buds. To illustrate this point, the Missouri researchers had more than 100 people taste both regular and low-fat chocolate ice cream. "People basically like the 0.5 percent nonfat ice cream just as much as they like the full-fat (9 percent milk fat) chocolate ice cream," says Ingolf Gruen, a researcher and chemist. Gruen points to a Swedish study that reported significant differences between the taste of nonfat and regular strawberry ice cream. Other research has shown people prefer the taste of regular vanilla ice cream to the taste of low-fat vanilla ice cream. This study was presented this week at the American Chemical Society meeting in New Orleans.
About The Author
My name is Dr. James W. Eitner and I am an Osteopathic Physician in the Metro Phoenix area of Arizona. I am a Board Certified Family Physician. I have trained in a number of medical institutions around the world including at the Olympic Training Center in Bei Jing, China. I have traveled around the world learning about different cultures and their approaches to health care.
Like many Americans, I am very concerned about my health. I have found that traditional medicine, as practiced in the US, does not provide for all of the needs of Americans. The use of complementary therapies is essential, but has grown quickly and, in some cases, lacks proven safety and effectiveness. I present this site as an opportunity to help identify and discuss proven therapies and treatments.
I will discuss various topics of interest. If you have a suggestion for a topic or a question for me, please e-mail me.
Preventive Health Care -- A $11.3 billion dollar market
In recent years, Americans have turned to preventive health care, instead of relying on conventional curative approaches. Escalating costs of health care has lead to an explosive preventive health care market. Unfortunately, this has also invited unscrupulous characters preying on the fears and myths that abound in health care.
One of the biggest areas is nutrition and herbal supplements. In choosing a supplement, you must look at the quality of its claims and ingredients. Are the health benefits substantiated with documented scientific studies or testimonials and pseudo-scientific studies? What is the safety history of the product and company? Are the preparations standardized and guaranteed consistent and predictable? In investigating many companies, few have met these standards. Independent studies have shown extreme differences in quality and standardization of products commonly found in the so-called health food stores. Companies should be able to guarantee that their supplements deliver the precise, standardized, recommended dosage of each beneficial natural ingredient. Every capsule. Every bottle. Every time.
Past Articles
Check out my past articles and updates, including my series on weight loss written for another site.
The statements on these web pages have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products listed on these pages are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
As always, before utilizing any Alternative or Complementary Medicine therapies, individuals should be evaluated by a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) to obtain a proper diagnosis. Alternative or Complementary Medicine is meant to complement traditional therapy. Individual treatment should be a balance of alternative and traditional, integrating the two together, to provide the best possible care. When choosing a health care practitioner, make sure that they are licensed (whenever possible).
Retail costs listed on this page are for comparison purposes only. Discounted prices available on most products.
The information presented on these pages is based on scientifically based research and current medical knowledge. Many of the supplements mentioned on these pages have been used to treat diseases for hundreds or thousands of years. The medical community is just beginning to research natural treatments. As new information develops, the information on these pages will be updated. Whenever possible, several sources for each supplement will be listed. The manufacturers mentioned within, have presented evidence that they have independent studies demonstrating standardization of potency, purity, and activity for that product. Some of the products presented are processed by Pharmanex/IDN. As a Pharmanex Representative, I will make a profit with every purchase of those products through this site. Those items are clearly marked.
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