Recent Research-

[Guest guest]

1. Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized

Controlled Trial with Six Months Follow-up
Evidence-based Complementary

and Alternative Medicine , 11/24/09

Zhang SP et al. – The results indicate that acupuncture can provide

pain relief to patient with plantar fasciitis, and that PC 7 is a

relatively specific acupoint for heel pain.

2. Acupuncture and Menopausal Hot Flashes
Medical Acupuncture,

11/19/09

Guévin F et al. – Acupuncture may offer an alternative treatment to

control menopausal hot flashes, particularly when hormone therapy is

contraindicated or refused.

3. Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review of

Randomized Controlled Trials
Journal of Alternative and Complementary

Medicine, 11/19/09

Cao H et al. – Acupuncture appears to be effective in treatment of

insomnia. However, further large, rigorous designed trials are

warranted.

4. Effectiveness of Traditional for Liver Protection

and Chemotherapy Completion among Cancer Patients
Evidence-based

Complementary and Alternative Medicine , 11/19/09

Liu M–L et al. – Use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with

chemotherapy resulted in protection of the liver during chemotherapy,

as manifested by lower serum AST and ALT levels.

[Guest guest]

JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Dec 28 2009

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 10.1200/JCO.2009.23.5150

 

 

 

Received April 27, 2009

Accepted August 31, 2009

Acupuncture Versus Venlafaxine for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms

in Patients With Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer: A Randomized

Controlled Trial

 

Eleanor M. Walker,* Alba I. Rodriguez, Beth Kohn, Ronald M. Ball, Jan

Pegg, Jeffrey R. Pocock, Ramon Nunez, Ed Peterson, Susan Jakary, and

Robert A. Levine

From the Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital,

Detroit; Center for Integrative Wellness, Henry Ford Health System,

Southfield; Center for Integrative Medicine, Henry Ford Health System,

Northville; Waterford Center for Integrative Medicine, Waterford;

Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford

Health System, Detroit; and Michigan Acupuncture, Novi, MI.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ewalker1

Purpose: Vasomotor symptoms are common adverse effects of antiestrogen

hormone treatment in conventional breast cancer care. Hormone

replacement therapy is contraindicated in patients with breast cancer.

Venlafaxine (Effexor), the therapy of choice for these symptoms, has

numerous adverse effects. Recent studies suggest acupuncture may be

effective in reducing vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women. This

randomized controlled trial tested whether acupuncture reduces

vasomotor symptoms and produces fewer adverse effects than venlafaxine.

 

Patients and Methods: Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive

12 weeks of acupuncture (n = 25) or venlafaxine (n = 25) treatment.

Health outcomes were measured for up to 1 year post-treatment.

 

Results: Both groups exhibited significant decreases in hot flashes,

depressive symptoms, and other quality-of-life symptoms, including

significant improvements in mental health from pre- to post-treatment.

These changes were similar in both groups, indicating that acupuncture

was as effective as venlafaxine. By 2 weeks post-treatment, the

venlafaxine group experienced significant increases in hot flashes,

whereas hot flashes in the acupuncture group remained at low levels.

The venlafaxine group experienced 18 incidences of adverse effects (eg,

nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety), whereas the acupuncture group

experienced no negative adverse effects. Acupuncture had the additional

benefit of increased sex drive in some women, and most reported an

improvement in their energy, clarity of thought, and sense of

well-being.

 

Conclusion: Acupuncture appears to be equivalent to drug therapy in

these patients. It is a safe, effective and durable treatment for

vasomotor symptoms secondary to long-term antiestrogen hormone use in

patients with breast cancer.

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[Guest guest]

!. British Journal of Nutrition Cambridge University Press

Copyright © The Authors 2009

doi:10.1017/S0007114509992364

Full Papers

Human and Clinical Nutrition

 

Concord grape juice supplementation improves memory function in older

adults with mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

Concord grape juice contains polyphenol compounds, which have

antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and influence neuronal

signalling. Concord grape juice supplementation has been shown to

reduce inflammation, blood pressure and vascular pathology in

individuals with CVD, and consumption of such flavonoid-containing

foods is associated with a reduced risk for dementia. In addition,

preliminary animal data have indicated improvement in memory and motor

function with grape juice supplementation, suggesting potential for

cognitive benefit in ageing humans. In this initial investigation of

neurocognitive effects, we enrolled twelve older adults with memory

decline but not dementia in a randomised, placebo-controlled,

double-blind trial with Concord grape juice supplementation for 12

weeks. We observed significant improvement in a measure of verbal

learning and non-significant enhancement of verbal and spatial recall.

There was no appreciable effect of the intervention on depressive

symptoms and no effect on weight or waist circumference. A small

increase in fasting insulin was observed for those consuming grape

juice. These preliminary findings suggest that supplementation with

Concord grape juice may enhance cognitive function for older adults

with early memory decline and establish a basis for more comprehensive

investigations to evaluate potential benefit and assess mechanisms of

action.

 

2. Mango Halts Colon and Breast Cancer Cell Growth

http://www.worldhealth.net/news/mango-halts-colon-and-breast-cancer-cell-growth/