Natural Standard Blog

Healthy Pasta and Potato Salad Recipes

Celebrate the holiday weekend by making an easy pasta or potato salad. Natural Standard has several healthy recipe options available in the new Recipe Database.

Warm potato salad: This low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol, and heart healthy recipe uses Dijon mustard, olive oil and red wine vinegar instead of mayonnaise.

Tuna pasta salad: A healthy alternative to a traditionally high fat dish, this low calorie and high protein option uses unsalted tuna and fresh spinach.

Yogurt vinaigrette: Add this low calorie, low sodium, heart healthy vinaigrette to potato or pasta salad instead of traditional dressing to reduce calorie and fat content.

For more healthy recipes, please visit Natural Standard's Recipe Database.

NEW Recipe Database

Natural Standard recently launched the new Recipe Database, which serves as a resource for both healthcare professionals and consumers.

In addition to regular exercise, well-balanced meals and sensible portions are important to overall health. To maintain a healthy weight, an individual's intake of calories should be about equal to the calories used or burned during the day. If an individual eats more calories than are burned, the body stores the extra calories as fat.

This new database features a wide range of healthy recipes in the following categories: Beans & Legumes, Dairy, Eggs, Fruit, Meat, Pasta, Poultry, Rice & Grains, Seafood, Vegetables and Nuts, Fats & Oils.

Each recipe provides details on preparation time, difficulty, diet and nutrition, as well as direct links to Natural Standard evidence-based systematic reviews for studied ingredients.

Natural Standard welcomes submissions of non-copyrighted healthy recipes for inclusion in the Recipe Database. If you would like to submit a recipe, please email recipes@naturalstandard.com.

For more information, please visit Natural Standard's Recipe Database.

Natural Standard Featured CE/CME: Sage

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

Sage has been used in Europe for centuries as a spice and a medicine. Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulifolia (Salvia lavandulaefolia) are two of the most common species of sage. Early clinical evidence supports the use of sage for Alzheimer's disease, pharyngitis, herpes infections and improvement of mood, cognition and memory. Sage has also been studied for menopausal symptom improvement, lung cancer prevention, bacterial infections, postoperative pain and ultraviolet light-induced swelling (erythema).

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.

Zinc May Shorten Cold But May Cause Side Effects

A new study supports previous findings that suggest zinc may shorten the duration of the common cold in adults; however, side effects may be common.

Zinc is necessary for the functioning of more than 300 different enzymes and plays a vital role in a large number of biological processes. Zinc is a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and is in a number of enzymatic reactions involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

In previous research, there have been conflicting results regarding the effect of zinc formulations in treating the duration and severity of common cold symptoms. Although zinc may be beneficial in the treatment of cold symptoms if taken at the onset of symptoms, more studies are needed to clarify which zinc formulations may be most effective, which rhinoviruses are affected by zinc and if nasal sprays provide a useful alternative application route for zinc treatment. Negative results may be caused by using doses of zinc that are too low, or they may be affected by the presence of compounds like citric or tartaric acid, which may reduce efficacy due to chelating of the zinc ion.

In a new study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search for well-designed clinical trials comparing zinc taken by mouth with placebo or no treatment at all. Seventeen trials evaluating a total of 2121 participants were ultimately identified for inclusion.

The researchers found that participants who received zinc experienced cold symptoms for less time than those who received placebo. However, the authors noted that these effects were only significant in adults, not children. Furthermore, side effects, including nausea and bad taste, were more common in participants taking zinc.

The authors concluded that although zinc may shorten the length of a cold, further research is needed to form a firm conclusion and evaluate potential side effects.

Many other integrative therapies have been studied for their potential effects on common cold symptoms. Echinacea taken by mouth is frequently recommended to reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections. However, the results of scientific studies are mixed. Scientific studies generally suggest that vitamin C does not prevent the onset of cold symptoms. However, in a subset of studies of people living in extreme climates or under extraordinary conditions, including soldiers in subarctic exercises, skiers and marathon runners, vitamin C significantly reduced the risk of developing colds, by approximately 50 percent.

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

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

Yoga Breathing May Reduce Chemotherapy Side Effects

Yoga breathing techniques may improve quality of life and reduce chemotherapy side effects for cancer patients, according to a new study.

Yoga has been described as "the union of mind, body, and spirit," which addresses physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions towards an overall harmonious state of being. The philosophy of yoga is sometimes pictured as a tree with eight branches. These eight limbs are: pranayama (breathing exercises), asana (physical postures), yama (moral behavior), niyama (healthy habit), dharana (concentration), prathyahara (sense withdrawal), dhyana (contemplation) and samadhi (higher consciousness).

Yoga may be beneficial for improving the quality of life for patients with serious diseases as well as in healthy patients. Several previous studies in cancer patients report enhanced quality of life, lower sleep disturbance, decreased stress symptoms and changes in cancer-related immune cells after patients received relaxation, meditation and gentle yoga therapy.

In a new study, 16 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to a yoga breathing treatment group or control group. The yoga group attended weekly classes to learn four yoga breathing techniques and practiced the techniques during two consecutive cycles of chemotherapy. The control group received standard care after their first chemotherapy cycle and practiced the yoga breathing only during their second cycle. Various outcome measures, including fatigue, sleep quality, depression, stress and quality of life were evaluated.

The researchers found that the more the yoga breathing was used, the greater the improvement in symptoms. Yoga breathing resulted in significant improvements for several outcome measures, including sleep quality, anxiety and mental quality of life.

The authors concluded that yoga breathing techniques may be beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Larger-scale well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

In addition to yoga, there is good evidence that various types of meditation may help improve quality of life for cancer patients. Studies have shown benefits for mood, sleep quality and the stresses of treatment. The specific effects of meditation are not fully understood. However, meditation can be recommended as a form of support for cancer patients.

There is also good evidence that psychotherapy may enhance cancer patients' quality of life by reducing emotional distress and aiding in coping with the stresses and challenges of cancer. Therapy may be supportive-expressive therapy, cognitive therapy or group therapy. Studies conflict on whether therapy improves self-esteem, death anxiety, self-satisfaction, etc. While some patients seek psychotherapy in hopes of extending survival, there is no conclusive evidence on its effects on medical prognosis.

For more information about integrative therapies for the cancer-related side effects and quality of life, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness Database.

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

Vitamins E, C May Not Reduce Risk for Vision Loss

Supplementation with vitamins E and C may not reduce the risk for age-related macular degeneration, according to a new study.

Macular degeneration is a degenerative disease of the retina (a thin layer of nerve cells that lines the back of the eyeball) that causes progressive loss of central vision. Like other antioxidants, vitamin E has been suggested to prevent, slow progression or improve macular degeneration. The scientific evidence in this area is not conclusive, although there is some suggestion that vitamin E alone or in combination with beta-carotene, may not be beneficial. There is also a lack of evidence showing the beneficial effects of vitamin C alone for this condition. Further research is warranted.

In a new study, researchers evaluated data on 14,236 healthy male physicians 50 years-old or younger without age-related macular degeneration at the start of the study. Each participant was randomly assigned to receive 400 international units of vitamin E or placebo every other day and 500 milligrams of vitamin C or placebo daily for eight years. Each participant reported any diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration. Questionnaires and medical records were also reviewed.

The researchers found that throughout the eight-year study, a total of 193 cases of age-related macular degeneration were diagnosed. The authors noted that there were close to an equal number of diagnoses of the disorder in both the vitamin E and C groups when compared to the placebo groups.

The authors concluded that longer-term vitamin E and C supplementation may have no effect on the risk for age-related macular degeneration. Further research in this area is warranted.

In addition to vitamins E and C, many other therapies have been reviewed for their potential preventative effects in age-related macular degeneration. Melatonin may exert antioxidant effects, which may contribute to its beneficial effects on the eyes. According to clinical research, melatonin may play a role in protecting the retina to delay macular degeneration. However, data are not conclusive. There is also preliminary research that suggests ginkgo may improve eye blood flow, although it remains unclear if macular degeneration is significantly affected by ginkgo.

For more information about integrative therapies for age-related macular degeneration, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness Database.

For more information about vitamins E or C, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Probiotics May Prevent Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

A new study supports previous findings that suggest using probiotics while on antibiotics may reduce the risk for antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

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. Probiotics can be consumed as capsules, tablets, beverages, powders, yogurts and other foods.

The largest group of probiotic bacteria in the intestine is lactic acid bacteria, of which Lactobacillus acidophilus, found in yogurt, is the best known. Other types of probiotics include different strains of Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii. Saccharomyces boulardii has been described as the yeast probiotic, as it has been shown to antagonize disease-causing bacteria.

An increasing number of studies support the use of probiotics as a supplement to antibiotic therapy, as a preventative for diarrhea originating in a healthcare setting in infants and in healthy adults. Probiotic supplementation during a course of antibiotics may reduce the adverse effects of antibiotics in the intestinal environment. In acutely ill children, synbiotics have been linked to greater weight gain and fewer bacterial illnesses after antibiotics are ended. The evidence consistently supports supplementation of antibiotics.

In a new study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search for well-designed clinical trials evaluating the effects of probiotics on the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A total of 82 studies were identified for inclusion.

The researchers found that overall probiotic use was linked to a significantly reduced risk for antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The authors noted that the majority of trials used Lactobacillus-based treatments; however, the specific strain used was often not well documented. Additionally, data was not consistent for population type, specific antibiotic used and probiotic preparation.

The authors concluded that probiotics may reduce the risk for antibiotic-associated diarrhea; however, further research is necessary to understand which probiotics may be most effective for use with which specific antibiotics and patients.

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

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

Making Natural Standard Part of Daily Workflow

Sign up for a complimentary webinar to learn how institutions can leverage Natural Standard's unique Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and Comparative Efficacy Databases to improve healthcare outcomes.

The patient care platform, now available to Natural Standard members, will also be reviewed.

To attend, register by clicking one of the enrollment links below.

Wed, May 23, 2012 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM (EST)

Wed, May 30, 2012 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (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 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, May 22, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, May 24, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, May 31, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Tue, Jun 5, 2012 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)

Thu, Jun 7, 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 Research Collaboration Award

The Natural Standard Research Collaboration is offering an award for subscribing academic institutions to present to an exemplary 2012 graduating class member for perpetuating multidisciplinary, evidence-based research practices, healthcare communications or information. Each healthcare discipline and journalism school within a university is eligible for one award per department.

Natural Standard would like to congratulate recent award recipients Ashley Tewksbury from Northeastern University; Thomas Hill from University of Rhode Island; Jeffrey J. Burmeister from Temple University; Jaime Wagner from Midwestern University; Brittney Shippee from Auburn University; Shamama Burney from University Of Oklahoma Health Science Center; Susanna Bedy from University of Florida; Katherine Howell from University of Montana and Carla Eisenstein from Thomas Jefferson University. Each award recipient will be granted the following:

Natural Standard Award Certificate

Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide Book

Natural Standard Medical Condition Reference Book: An Integrative Approach

Natural Standard Herbal Pharmacotherapy Book: An Evidence-Based Approach

Natural Standard Professional Database: one-year personal subscription

Natural Standard Mobile Version: one-year personal subscription

Journal of Dietary Supplements: one-year personal subscription

To offer this award at your institution, please email memberservices@naturalstandard.com.

Complimentary Webinar

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.

Beta-glucan: The Clinical Bottom Line: Kevin Ng, PharmDc, will present Natural Standard's evidence-based systematic review results on beta-glucan. He will provide a basic overview on beta-glucan and discuss the scientific evidence, dosing, safety and interactions related to its use. Ng will also apply the data to several patient cases that highlight potential interactions and adverse effects. Complimentary access will be available starting June 1, 2012.

Natural Standard Attending Career Fair

Individuals interested in learning more about evidence-based integrative medicine are invited to visit Natural Standard at the upcoming Tufts University Career Fair.

The Tufts Career Fair will take place Friday, September 28, 2012 at the Gantcher Center on the Medford Campus. Natural Standard will be recruiting for all departments, including marketing and outreach.

For more information, please visit http://careers.tufts.edu.

Drinking Coffee Linked to Lower Risk of Death

A new study suggests that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of death.

Caffeine is the most well-known active ingredient in coffee. It naturally occurs in the leaves, seeds and fruits of over 60 plants, including coffee beans and tea leaves. There is strong scientific evidence that caffeine may help improve mood, exercise performance and breathing disorders. This compound is considered the most widely used drug in the world.

In a new study, researchers analyzed data on 229,119 men and 173,141 women from the National Institutes of Health AARP Diet and Health Study. Participants were 50-71 years-old at the beginning of the study, and did not have cancer, heart disease or stroke.

Between 1995 and 2008, 33,731 men and 18,784 women died. The researchers found that when the data was adjusted for smoking habits, drinking coffee was linked to a significantly reduced risk of death from heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, accidents, diabetes and infections. Men who consumed four or five cups of coffee daily had a 12 percent reduced risk of death when compared to those who consumed none. For women, drinking four or five cups of coffee daily was linked to a 16 percent reduced risk of death.

The authors concluded that drinking coffee may reduce the risk for death; however, this study only suggests a potential association and does not prove a cause-and -effect relationship. Further research is necessary.

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

Acupuncture May Reduce COPD Symptoms

Acupuncture may reduce symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

COPD is a type of lung disease that involves damage or obstruction to the airways of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. COPD is an overall term referring to a group of chronic lung conditions, most commonly including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and possibly asthma or asthmatic bronchitis. While chronic bronchitis and emphysema may occur separately, it is common for patients to have both diseases at the same time.

In a new study, researchers randomly assigned 68 COPD patients to receive acupuncture or placebo acupuncture once weekly for 12 weeks. Shortness of breath was evaluated as the main outcome measure using the Borg scale following a six minute walk test.

The researchers found that after 12 weeks, shortness of breath significantly improved for patients in the acupuncture group when compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, patients in the acupuncture group were able to walk significantly further during the walk test at the end of the 12 weeks.

The authors concluded that acupuncture may be beneficial for COPD patients by reducing shortness of breath. Additional research in this area is warranted.

Many other integrative therapies have been studied for their potential benefits in COPD patients. A combination of acupressure and massage may reduce dyspnea (labored breathing) and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who use prolonged mechanical ventilatory support. There is also early evidence that suggests aromatherapy may aid mucus clearance in COPD. Further research is necessary.

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

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

Natural Standard Attending MLA Annual Meeting

Individuals interested in learning more about evidence-based integrative medicine are invited to visit Natural Standard at the upcoming Medical Library Association (MLA) Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Natural Standard will be exhibiting its latest products and services, including the new Continuing Education Modules.

This event will take place May 18-23, 2012 at the Washington Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. Natural Standard will be exhibiting at booth #113. For more information, please visit www.mlanet.org.

To make an appointment to meet with one of Natural Standard's representatives at an upcoming conference, please email sales@naturalstandard.com.

Natural Standard on Sharecare.com

Dr. Catherine Ulbricht, Founder and CEO of Natural Standard, authored two new blogs for Sharecare.com.

5 Natural Allergy Treatments Worth Trying: Dr. Ulbricht reviews the scientific evidence of benefit for five integrative allergy therapies. Whey protein, bromelain, butterbur, nasal irrigation and probiotics are discussed. To read the full blog, please visit, http://blog.sharecare.com.

Natural Alternatives to Statin Drugs: Dr. Ulbricht reviews the scientific evidence of benefit for five natural alternatives to statin drugs. Beta-glucan, beta-sitosterol, psyllium, soy and avocado are discussed. To read the full blog, please visit, http://blog.sharecare.com.

Natural Standard LIVE Presentations at SupplySide MarketPlace

Individuals interested in learning more about evidence-based integrative medicine are invited to visit Natural Standard at the upcoming SupplySide MarketPlace May 8-10, 2012 at the Javits Center in New York, New York.

Please stop Natural Standard's booth, #262, on May 9th and May 10th at 11AM, 1PM or 3PM EST to view a LIVE database overview presentation.

To make an appointment to meet with one of Natural Standard's representatives at an upcoming conference, please email sales@naturalstandard.com.

For more information about the SupplySide MartketPlace, please visit www.supplysideshow.com.

Saffron: The Clinical Bottom Line

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.

Saffron ( Crocus sativus) : The Clinical Bottom Line: Tom Jarvi, PharmDc, will present Natural Standard's evidence-based systematic review results on saffron. He will provide a basic overview of the herb and discuss the scientific evidence, dosing, safety and interactions related to its use. Jarvi will also apply the data to several patient cases that highlight potential interactions and adverse effects. Complimentary access is now available.

Making Natural Standard Part of Daily Workflow

Sign up for a complimentary webinar to learn how institutions can leverage Natural Standard's unique Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and Comparative Efficacy Databases to improve healthcare outcomes.

The patient care platform, now available to Natural Standard members, will also be reviewed.

To attend, register by clicking one of the enrollment links below.

Wed, May 9, 2012 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM (EST)

Wed, May 16, 2012 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (EST)

Wed, May 23, 2012 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM (EST)

Wed, May 30, 2012 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (EST)

We have also added a late training session to accommodate for our members in other time zones.

Wed, May 2, 2012 7:30 PM - 8:15 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