Integrative Medicine Alert
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Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth with Botanical Therapies Equivalent to Rifaximin
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is a condition associated with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and extraintestinal manifestations. This study investigates the effectiveness of the antibiotic rifaximin compared to botanical combination therapies for the treatment of the condition as diagnosed by lactulose breath testing.
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The Role of Ginger in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Ginger supplementation exhibits a promising effect on glycemic control, triglyceride levels, and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetics.
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Prevention of Proton Pump Inhibitor-induced Bowel Symptoms with Probiotics
The administration of a Lactobacillus paracasei strain (F19) twice daily and 3 times per week for 6 months appears to reduce the incidence of bowel symptoms (bloating and flatulence) and reduce changes in bowel habits (increased stool frequency and loose stools) but not abdominal pain in patients taking proton pump inhibitors.
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Sustainable 25(OH)D Levels? Choose Vitamin D3 over D2
Compared to vitamin D2, daily supplementation with vitamin D3 appears to sustain serum 25(OH)D levels even after discontinuation of supplementation in healthy adults.
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Spiritual Interventions for Patients with Cancer
A systematic meta-analysis investigating the effects of spiritual intervention in patients with cancer found that spiritual interventions had significant moderate effects on spiritual well-being, meaning of life, and depression.
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Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia – What News?
Although fibromyalgia remains a challenging management problem in clinical medicine, significant progress has been made in the last five years in terms of identifying underlying neurobiological abnormalities, which may one day elucidate the pathophysiology of the disorder.
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Controversial Removal of Dietary Supplements from Retailers’ Shelves
Until sound testing methodology and retailer/government oversight is honed, clinicians and consumers should discuss the appropriateness of dietary supplement use and the choice of products from reputable companies.
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Lactobacillus casei Supplementation Improves Inflammatory Markers and Disease Activity Scores in Rheumatoid Arthritis
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei 01 was provided to women with rheumatoid arthritis at a dosage of 108 colony forming units for a period of 8 weeks and compared to a placebo treatment. Disease activity score and levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-12 were found to be significantly decreased at the end of the intervention. Additional parameters of state and trait anxiety were also evaluated and were not significantly altered by therapies.
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Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in patients with Crohn’s disease significantly improved the patient’s CD symptoms, quality of life, mucosal inflammation, serum hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein levels compared to the control group.
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Live Longer: Substitute in Whole Grains
When adjusted for possible confounding variables, this analysis of U.S. men and women found an association between higher whole grain intake and lower mortality from all causes, including cardiovascular disease, but no association for cancer mortality.