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Addressing the accumulating evidence for pomegranate's effects on various cardiovascular parameters, this study explored the impact of 240 mL of pomegranate juice daily for 18 months on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a known risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction. The results failed to show a difference in CIMT or antioxidant parameters (the proposed mechanism), except for subgroup analyses on people at particularly high risk for cardiovascular disease.
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Iyengar yoga training and practice was shown by the authors to significantly improve functional disability, pain, and depression in adults with chronic low back pain, compared to a control group receiving standard medical care. The yoga group also demonstrated a trend to reduce pain medicine use compared to the control group.
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Results of this randomized clinical trial strongly suggest that Medical Qigong (MQ) can help people with cancer improve their quality of life (QOL) and lessen specific cancer- or treatment-related symptoms. The authors propose that MQ works in part by attending to the emotional and psychological well-being of the patient in addition to their physical health. Lack of a placebo sham group and high dropout rates negatively influence confidence in the authors' conclusions.
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Allergic rhinitis affects 10%-20% of the population, and it greatly affects quality of life.
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The conclusion of this systematic review, that spinal manipulation is of no benefit to patients with asthma, is acceptable when considered within its narrow framework. It is, however, irreparably hampered by the limited nature of the existing data, and an all too apparent bias.
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Taking data from a large cohort being followed prospectively, the authors of this trial found that a dietary pattern disturbingly similar to our "Western-style" way of eating is significantly associated with a greater risk for self-reported depression at 5 years of follow-up when compared to an eating pattern that more closely mimics the Mediterranean- or Asian-style diet.
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A very low-carbohydrate diet results in similar weight loss as a low-fat diet, but participants on a low-fat diet have improved psychological mood and well-being compared with those on a low-carbohydrate diet.
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It has been known for decades that influenza viruses have a propensity to affect muscle. Muscle aches from mild to severe occur regularly with the acute attack of the virus.
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Patients who adhered to prescribed anti-hypertensive medication experienced a significantly decreased risk of acute cardiovascular events, yet only 6 months after diagnosis, only 8.1% of patients were classified as having high adherence, 40.5% demonstrated intermediate adherence, and 51.4% demonstrated low adherence to prescribed medication regimens.
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Data from Australia and New Zealand show that the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic may pose a substantial burden on our health care systems, one we may have never endured in recent history.
