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This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial measured the effect of 1,500 mg of calcium carbonate daily on total body weight and body fat mass in 340 overweight and obese individuals. After two years, both the placebo group and the calcium group showed equal gains in total body weight and body fat mass, leading the researchers to conclude that supplemental calcium is not effective in preventing weight gain in this population.
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A telephone survey revealed that the UK general public had a relatively low level of anxiety about H1N1 flu, and also made relatively few behavioral changes to reduce the risk of transmission. People's likelihood to make changes was associated with a number of perceptions regarding H1N1 flu (swine flu).
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In a well-designed RCT, researchers showed that a combination of healthy lifestyle training and the supplement red yeast rice successfully lowers LDL- cholesterol levels in people intolerant of prescription statin drugs due to myalgias, and without significant side effects.
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Yoga may be helpful for psychological disorders.
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Results of this small pilot trial suggest that a specialized movement program based on the principles of Feldenkrais therapy, when offered to elderly community-dwelling subjects twice weekly for 10 weeks, improves objective measures of balance and movement as well as self-confidence in both areas.
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In the 2007 national health interview survey (NHIS), approximately 38% of adults reported using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the previous 12 months.
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In the popular press, there has been a recent focus on "superfoods," or foods that contain high levels of nutrients that some people feel have the best evidence for the prevention or treatment of various medical conditions.
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Two systematic reviews concluded that acupuncture is somewhat beneficial in the prophylactic treatment of both migraine and tension-type headaches.
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Lay books and web sites tout the benefits of progesterone cream for use in menopausal women. A Google search reveals roughly 338,000 results when the term "progesterone cream" is entered.
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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.
