Integrative Medicine Alert – July 1, 2009
July 1, 2009
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Grapefruit Seed Extract as an Antimicrobial Agent
Resistance to antibiotics continues to pose a serious problem in treating infections. While new pharmaceutical agents are being developed, interest in alternative treatments is also growing. Grapefruit seed extract is one commercially available antimicrobial that has attracted considerable attention. -
Does Lowering Gamma-tocopherol Explain the Failure of Vitamin E Supplementation Trials?
Several large observational studies have suggested that vitamin E supplementation lowers the risk of coronary heart disease. However, the results of large randomized controlled trials failed to show a clear benefit of a-tocopherol supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes. -
Tea Time Down Under: HIV
In-depth laboratory analysis suggests that human semen (SE) contains a peptide that enhances HIV infectivity, but the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits the increased infectivity associated with the peptide. This raises the possibility that topical intravaginal EGCG could be a useful adjunct in controlling the spread of HIV infection. -
Ethnic, Racial, and Educational Differences in CVD and Diabetes Control -- Can Insurance Coverage Mitigate Disparities?
Subgroups of U.S. adults who are minorities, poor, or undereducated with chronic cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia have large disparities in treatment for these conditions compared with white, high school-educated adults when they are uninsured or underinsured. -
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Adds Little Benefit to Resistance Training for Older Adults
A randomized, double-blind study found that alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) supplementation provided few additional benefits for older adults participating in a 12-week resistance-training program. -
Itchy and Scratchy: Wool and Fibromyalgia
This brief pilot intervention trial grew out of data suggesting that symptoms of fibromyalgia are often worse during cold weather, and that the skin temperature associated directly with specific trigger points may be lower than in healthy subjects. -
News Briefs
According to results of a gallup organization survey released during the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 57th Annual Clinical meeting in Chicago, women are delaying important preventive care—in the form of pregnancy and annual check-ups—as a result of the economy.