Herb Users May Face Worse Asthma Symptoms
Asthma sufferers who take herbal remedies appear to use their inhalers less and experience worse symptoms than their non-herb-using counterparts, a new study shows.
For the study, researchers surveyed 326 adults with persistent asthma who received care at inner-city outpatient clients. The researchers asked survey respondents about their use of complementary and alternative medicine (such as teas and herbs) in treatment of their asthma over the past six months, finding that 25.4 percent of patient reported herbal remedy use.
In analyzing data on the study participants, the scientists found that use of herbal remedies was linked to decreased use of inhalers–as well as more severe asthma symptoms. Herbal remedy users were also more likely to worry about the side effects of standard asthma medication.
In order to ensure optimal management of asthma symptoms, the study’s authors encourage physicians to routinely ask asthma patients about their use of complementary and alternative medicine.
Past studies have shown that remedies such as omega-3 fatty acids and bromelain –as well as alternative therapies like acupuncture–may be of some benefit to people with asthma.
Herb Users May Face Worse Asthma Symptoms originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 20:20:04.
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Fish Oil May Help Stave Off Psychosis
For people at extremely high risk of psychosis, taking fish oil supplements may help cut the odds of developing psychotic disorders. That’s the finding of a new study that focused on 81 individuals at “ultra-high risk” for psychosis (defined as a loss of contact with reality). All participants had mild psychotic symptoms, transient psychosis, or a family history of psychotic disorders, in addition to a decrease in functioning.
For 12 weeks, 41 of the study members took daily fish oil supplements containing 1.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, while the other 41 participants took a placebo. By the end of the study, two percent of those taking fish oil supplements had transitioned to a psychotic disorder, compared to 27.5 percent in the placebo group. The supplements also appeared to significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning.
It’s possible that omega-3 fatty acids could have a positive effect on chemical signaling in the brain, according to the study’s authors. Although it’s too soon to recommend the use of fish oil supplements to reduce psychosis risk, the authors note that intervention with at-risk individuals has “the potential to prevent full-blown psychotic disorders.”
Fish Oil May Help Stave Off Psychosis originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 06:00:32.
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Taking supplements of soy isoflavones may not help shield postmenopausal women from bone loss, according to a recent study. Soy isoflavones are estrogen-like compounds thought to offer a number of health benefits, such as the treatment of hot flashes.
For the study, researchers had 224 postmenopausal women take either soy isoflavone supplements (at a dose of 80 mg or 120 mg) or a placebo capsule each day for three years. Results showed that the supplements had no significant effect on lumbar spine, total hip, or whole-body bone mineral density. Participants taking the higher dose of soy isoflavones, however, did experience a small protective effect on their femoral neck bone mineral density.
Decreased bone mineral density is the hallmark of osteoporosis, a condition most common among postmenopausal women. Known to progress slowly and silently, osteoporosis can lead to serious complications like spine and hip fractures. Past studies show that exercising regularly and boosting your levels of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K may help prevent osteoporosis.
Soy May Not Stop Bone Loss originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 06:00:28.
