Natural Standard Blog

Natural Standard Probiotics Review Published

The recent edition of Alternative and Complementary Therapies features a Natural Standard evidence-based systematic review on probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces boulardii).

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria (sometimes referred to as "friendly germs") that help to maintain the health of the intestinal tract and aid in digestion. They also help keep potentially harmful organisms in the gut (harmful bacteria and yeasts) under control. Most probiotics come from food sources, especially cultured milk products, and have been found to stimulate the body's immune system. They may also aid in several gastrointestinal illnesses such as inflammatory bowel diseases, antibiotic-related diarrhea, infectious diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome and allergies.

For information about probiotics, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness Database.

FDA Warning: Dietary Supplements May Be Contaminated

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) capsules manufactured by Eclectic Institute may be contaminated with Salmonella.

According to the statement issued by the FDA, Eclectic Institute is voluntarily recalling potentially contaminated lots of their gotu kola and bladderwrack freeze-dried capsules. The affected gotu Kola lots were sold September 14, 2011 through December 14, 2011. The affected bladderwrack lots were sold July 14, 2011 through December 14, 2011.

The FDA advised any consumers in possession of these products to return them to the manufacturer for a full refund immediately.

For more information about gotu kola or bladderwrack, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Natural Standard Asia-Pacific & Australia Training Session

In addition to the regularly scheduled Natural Standard training sessions, a special late training session will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST to accommodate for other time zones. Sign up for this free online training session to learn more about Natural Standard's decision-support tools.

Natural Standard provides high-quality, evidence-based information about integrative therapies to help healthcare professionals and consumers make safer, more educated decisions about health.

Natural Standard is an international multidisciplinary collaboration that includes contributors from more than 100 eminent academic institutions. Research teams systematically gather scientific data and expert opinions to develop comprehensive monographs that are designed to facilitate clinical decision making. For each therapy, the available scientific evidence of effectiveness is evaluated using the Natural Standard Evidence-Based Validated Grading Rationale™. All monographs undergo blinded peer review prior to inclusion in Natural Standard databases.

This guided tour will demonstrate how to navigate the various databases and cross reference medical conditions and therapies.

After registration, attendees will receive e-mail confirmation with information on how to join the webinar.

System Requirements: PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server. Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Fish Oil Supplement Quality May Be Inconsistent

A new Consumer Reports investigation suggests that some fish oil products may be inconsistent in quality.

Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). There is supportive evidence from multiple studies that suggests the intake of recommended amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of dietary fish or fish oil supplements lowers triglycerides; reduces the risk of death, heart attack, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms and strokes in people with known heart disease.

The Consumer Reports investigation included outside testing of 15 brands of fish oil supplements bought in New York-area stores. Investigators found that all lots contained the labeled amount of EPA and DHA, and did not exceed limits for lead, mercury, dioxins or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a nongovernmental standard-setting group or by the European Union.

Consumer Reports noted, however, that several lots contained PCBs in amounts that could require warning labels. Among the brands with inconsistent levels of PCBs were CVS, Nature's Bounty®, GNC® and Sundown. Further research is necessary.

For more information about fish oil, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

FREE Healthy Holiday Gifts

Natural Standard Research Collaboration wishes all a happy holiday season with two healthy holiday gifts.

For new prospective members, Natural Standard offers a two week complimentary Professional Database Subscription. This provides unlimited access to all databases, tools and continuing education programs.

For our existing members, we offer a complimentary mobile or desktop download of Natural Standard.

To receive these healthy holiday gifts, please email memberservices@naturalstandard.com and include the name of your organization. A member of our team will reply with the appropriate access instructions.

Thank you and happy 2012!

Natural Standard Featured CE/CME: Peppermint

Natural Standard's featured CE/CME for the month of December is Peppermint: Safety & Effectiveness.

Peppermint is a flowering plant that grows throughout Europe and North America and is widely cultivated for its fragrant oil. Peppermint oil has been used historically for numerous health conditions, including common cold symptoms, cramps, headache, indigestion, joint pain and nausea. There is currently strong scientific evidence supporting the use of peppermint for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

Natural Standard offers CE/CME modules for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals. Students and other users may take courses for training purposes without generating credit certificates. Continuing Education requirements differ based on discipline, license and location. If you are unsure of your specific needs, please contact your local agency.

Soy Intake Linked to Lower Lung Cancer Risk

A recent study suggests that consuming soy may be linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer.

Soy contains protein, isoflavones and fiber, all thought to provide health benefits. Soy is an excellent source of dietary protein, including all essential amino acids. Several large population studies have found that higher soy intake (such as dietary tofu) is associated with a decreased risk of developing several types of cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancer. However, other research suggests that soy does not have this effect. Until better research is available, it remains unclear if dietary soy or soy isoflavone supplements increase or decrease the risk of these cancers.

In a new study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search to evaluate the potential association between soy consumption and lung cancer. A total of 11 studies were ultimately included.

The researchers found that soy intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer, with a 23 percent reduced risk overall. When evaluated further, the researchers found that consuming soy was significantly linked to a 21 percent, 14 percent and 38 percent reduced risk in women, Asian populations and non-smokers, respectively.

The authors concluded that consuming soy in the diet may reduce the risk of lung cancer; however, higher quality data is necessary before any firm conclusions can be made.

For more information about soy, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Drinking Tart Cherry Juice May Improve Sleep Quality

A new study suggests that drinking tart cherry juice may improve sleep quality.

Cherries have been used as both food and medicine. African cherry (Prunus africana) has been used to treat enlarged prostate and other disorders. Cherries contain polyphenols, which may have antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these uses.

In a new study, researchers sought to assess the reported high levels of melatonin in Montmorency cherries and there potential effects on sleep quality. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain. The synthesis and release of melatonin are stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, suggesting the involvement of melatonin in circadian rhythm. Several human studies have suggested that taking melatonin by mouth may reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.

Researchers randomly assigned 20 participants to receive tart cherry juice concentrate or placebo for seven days. Sleep quality and levels of melatonin in the urine were evaluated throughout the study period.

The researchers found that total melatonin content was significantly higher in the tart cherry juice group when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the tart cherry juice group saw significant improvements in the time in bed, sleep efficiency and total sleep time.

The authors concluded that drinking tart cherry juice may significantly increase melatonin levels and improve sleep quality. Larger-scale studies are necessary to further evaluate these findings.

For more information about cherries, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Green Tea May Reduce Cholesterol

A recent study suggests that green tea catechins may reduce cholesterol.

Green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. Green tea is rich in the class of polyphenol compounds known as catechins. Polyphenols may have health benefits for humans. Many of the effects of green tea are thought to be due to its most abundant catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

In a recent study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search for well-designed clinical trials evaluating the effects of green tea catechins on cholesterol. Twenty studies evaluating 1,415 participants were ultimately included in the review.

The researchers found that when compared to control groups, daily green tea catechins doses of 145-3,000 milligrams for 3-24 weeks significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels. No significant reductions were found for high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good" cholesterol) or triglycerides.

The authors concluded that green tea catechins may significantly reduce both total and LDL cholesterol levels; however, further well-designed studies are necessary before firm conclusions can be made.

For more information about green tea, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Massage Therapy May Improve Asthma Symptoms in Children

Massage therapy may improve lung function for children with asthma, according to a new study.

Numerous theories exist on how massage therapy may be beneficial, although there is limited research on the mechanism of action. There is promising preliminary evidence that suggests massage therapy may be beneficial to the lung function of children with asthma; however, data are not conclusive.

In a new study, 60 children with asthma were randomly assigned to receive 20 minutes of massage therapy from their parents at home for five weeks in addition to standard asthma care, or to a control group of only standard care. Several lung function tests, including spirometry, which measures the volume of air that can be inhaled or exhaled, forced expiratory flow in one second, which is the speed of air coming out of the lung, were performed on the first and last day of treatment.

The researchers found that at the end of the study, forced expiratory flow was significantly higher for children in the massage therapy group when compared to the control group. There was also a significant improvement in the forced respiratory flow to forced vital capacity (volume of air that can be forced out after full inspiration) ratio. No significant improvements were found for other lung function tests, including the peak expiratory flow.

The authors concluded that massage therapy may improve lung function for children with asthma. However, further well-designed studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

For more information about integrative therapies for asthma, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness Database.

Massage therapy may improve lung function for children with asthma, according to a new study.

Numerous theories exist on how massage therapy may be beneficial, although there is limited research on the mechanism of action. There is promising preliminary evidence that suggests message therapy may be beneficial to the lung function of children with asthma; however, data are not conclusive.

In a new study, 60 children with asthma were randomly assigned to receive 20 minutes of massage therapy from their parents at home for five weeks in addition to standard asthma care, or to a control group of only standard care. Several lung function tests, including spirometry, which measures the volume of air that can be inhaled or exhaled, forced expiratory flow in one second, which is the speed of air coming out of the lung, were performed on the first and last day of treatment.

The researchers found that at the end of the study, forced expiratory flow was significantly higher for children in the massage therapy group when compared to the control group. There was also a significant improvement in the forced respiratory flow to forced vital capacity (volume of air that can be forced out after full inspiration) ratio. No significant improvements were found for other lung function tests, including the peak expiratory flow.

The authors concluded that massage therapy may improve lung function for children with asthma. However, further well-designed studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

For more information about integrative therapies for asthma, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness Database.

Natural Standard Training

Sign up for a free online training session to learn more about Natural Standard's decision-support tools.

Natural Standard provides high-quality, evidence-based information about integrative therapies to help healthcare professionals and consumers make safer, more educated decisions about health.

Natural Standard is an international multidisciplinary collaboration that includes contributors from more than 100 eminent academic institutions. Research teams systematically gather scientific data and expert opinions to develop comprehensive monographs that are designed to facilitate clinical decision making. For each therapy, the available scientific evidence of effectiveness is evaluated using the Natural Standard Evidence-Based Validated Grading Rationale™. All monographs undergo blinded peer review prior to inclusion in Natural Standard databases.

These guided tours will demonstrate how to navigate the various databases and cross reference medical conditions and therapies.

Tue, Dec 13, 2011 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Dec 15, 2011 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Dec 22, 2011 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Jan 5, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Tue, Jan 10, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Jan 19, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

After registration, attendees will receive e-mail confirmation with information on how to join the webinar.

System Requirements: PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server. Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Natural Standard in Natural Medicine Journal

The latest issue of the Natural Medicine Journal features a Natural Standard evidence-based review on Vitamin E.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties. Foods that contain vitamin E include eggs, fruit, green leafy vegetables, meat, nuts, poultry, vegetable oils, argan oil, olive oil, wheat germ oil, and whole grains. Vitamin E has been proposed for the prevention or treatment of many health conditions, often based on its antioxidant properties. However, aside from the treatment of vitamin E deficiency (which is rare), there are a lack of clearly proven medicinal uses of vitamin E supplementation beyond the recommended daily allowance. The Natural Standard bottom-line monograph discusses the latest research on Vitamin E, including scientific evidence of effectiveness for various conditions and potential interactions and side effects.

The Natural Medicine Journal is an open-access, peer-reviewed e-journal for integrative healthcare practitioners, as well as students and faculty who focus on the field of natural medicine. The monthly journal and website provide scientifically-valid, clinically-relevant information.

The December issue features the following articles:

Aspirin Use and Breast Cancer Recurrence by Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO

Vitamin E: Examining the Research by Natural Standard

BRCA Methylation Implicated in Breast Cancer Carcinogenesis by Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO

Benefits of Integrative Cancer Treatments for Lung Cancer Patients by Renee Lang, ND, FABNO

Clowns Help Children with Respiratory Infections Get Well Faster by Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO

Alcohol Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk by Katherine Neubauer, ND

A Spoonful of Peanut Butter Helps the Veggies Go Down by Jared Skowron, ND

Who Makes Those Supplements, Anyway? by Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO

To subscribe to the complimentary journal, please visit www.naturalmedicinejournal.com.

Natural Standard in APhA Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs

Natural Standard recently authored a chapter on complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the American Pharmacists Association® (APhA) Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care.

The 17th edition includes 52 peer-reviewed chapters and provides FDA-approved dosing information for nonprescription medications, as well as evidence-based research on the safety and effectiveness for various over-the-counter, herbal and homeopathic medications.

In addition to the chapter on CAM authored by Natural Standard, this edition also offers chapters on Essential and Conditionally Essential Nutrients, Functional and Meal Replacement Foods, among many others.

To review the complete table of contents or to purchase the Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, please visit www.pharmacist.com.

Complimentary Webinars

Natural Standard is offering a series of complimentary webinars on integrative medicine. Natural Standard offers these impartial webinars as an informational public service. All webinars are recorded and archived at www.naturalstandard.com/webinars.

Q & A with Dr. Holly Lucille: Dr. Catherine Ulbricht, Founder and CEO of Natural Standard, interviews Holly Lucille, ND, RN, a well-known licensed naturopathic physician, author and educator. Dr. Lucille is the former president of the California Naturopathic Doctor's Association where she spearheaded the effort to license naturopathic doctors in the state of California. Dr. Lucille is not only a naturopathic physician and registered nurse, but she is also a personal trainer, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Complimentary access is available January 1-31, 2012.

Peripheral Vascular Disease: An Integrative Approach: Matt Martineau, PharmDc, presents an overview of the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). He discusses several patient cases detailing the safety and effectiveness of integrative therapies for this condition. He also reviews the scientific evidence, dosing, safety and interactions related to various therapies. Complimentary access is available January 1-31, 2012.

FDA: HCG Diet Products are Illegal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning for consumers to stay away from HCG diet products.

Although the HCG diet has been gaining popularity, there is a lack of evidence that it helps promote weight loss or fat redistribution. The diet involves severely restricting daily calories and receiving injections of a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

According to the statement issued by the FDA, HCG weight-loss products are marketed over-the-counter and are identified as "homeopathic." However, the FDA has only approved prescription HCG for female infertility and other medical conditions. HCG is not FDA-approved for weight loss. The FDA noted that any weight loss achieved while taking these products is likely due to severe calorie restriction and that HCG cannot be legally sold as a homeopathic medication.

The FDA advised any consumers in possession of HCG products to dispose of them immediately and to stop following the restrictive dietary guidelines associated with the diet.

For more information about the HCG diet, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

Juice May Contain Arsenic and Lead

A new Consumer Reports investigation suggests that high levels of arsenic and lead may be in some juices.

Arsenic is a semi-metallic naturally-occurring chemical. Arsenic is in the environment and all individuals are all exposed to small doses on a regular basis. Arsenic poisoning is difficult to detect as it is generally odorless and flavorless, meaning people have little idea when it is around. Lead exposure is especially harmful to fetuses or young children, as it may adversely affect brain and nervous system development.

Consumer Reports tested apple and grape juice from a variety of popular brands. According to the report, approximately 10 percent of juice samples from five brands had total arsenic levels that exceeded federal drinking-water standards.

One in four samples had lead levels higher than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) bottled-water limit of five parts per billion. Currently, no federal limit exists for arsenic or lead levels in juice.

The FDA issued a statement emphasizing that they are "confident" in the safety of juices in the United States, adding that most tested juices contain low levels of arsenic. Further research is necessary.

For more information about arsenic or lead poisoning, please visit Natural Standard's Environment & Global Health Database.

Gingivitis and Perionditis: An Integrative Approach

Christan Thomas, PharmDc, presents an overview of the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. She discusses several patient cases detailing the safety and effectiveness of integrative therapies for this condition. She also reviews the scientific evidence, dosing, safety and interactions related to various therapies.

Natural Standard offers these impartial webinars as an informational public service. Complimentary access to the webinar is available December 1-31, 2011 (Requires Windows Media Player). The transcript is also available as a PDF file. 

Q & A with Marc Brush

Natural Standard is offering a series of upcoming complimentary webinars on integrative medicine. Natural Standard offers these impartial webinars as an informational public service. All webinars are recorded and archived at www.naturalstandard.com/webinars.

Dr. Catherine Ulbricht, Founder and CEO of Natural Standard, interviews Marc Brush, editor-in-chief of Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ). Marc helps guide the editorial direction for all NBJ publications and products. Marc has also written for many industry publications, and brings more than 10 years of professional experience in editing and business analytics to NBJ. Complimentary access to the webinar is available December 1-31, 2011 (Requires Windows Media Player).

The transcript of this webinar is also available as a PDF.