Integrative Medicine
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Integrative Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Micronutrient Supplements
This article will focus on the role of micronutrients in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are required for many functions in the body, including glucose metabolism, insulin activity, and prevention of tissue oxidation. Unfortunately, chronic hyperglycemia has been shown to reduce the levels of various micronutrients in the body, which further disturbs glucose regulation and potentially worsens diabetic complications. Over the past few decades, researchers have examined the effects of supplementing these micronutrient deficiencies, and some of the most commonly encountered supplements in clinical practice are reviewed below.
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Statin Use and Cognitive Effects: Not a Brain Drain
Despite earlier concerns by the FDA about adverse effects of statins on cognitive functioning, a meta-analysis of data from more than 28,000 patients enrolled in 18 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of statin therapy failed to show a causal relationship between treatment and adverse neurocognitive effects for patients with and without cognitive impairment.
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Manipulating Degenerative Joint Disease: RCT Shows Short-term Effects
Men with low back pain who received one high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation had less pain and improvements in disc space and hip and spinal flexion.
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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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Meditation Types and Clinical Use
Meditation has gained popularity not only as a practice to gain awareness and maintain calmness but also as an integrative mind-body treatment for a multitude of different clinical conditions. Meditation is derived from the Latin word “meditatri,” which is defined as engaging in contemplation or reflection. The practice of meditation is found in most spiritual traditions and cultures throughout the world and has been practiced in some cultures for more than 5000 years.