Natural Standard Blog

Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergies

In two small studies, peanut allergies improved in children who took low doses of peanut allergens that gradually increased over time.

Exposing a person to low doses of a known allergen, a technique called immunotherapy, is not a new concept. The goal of immunotherapy is to desensitize the patient so that the body builds up a tolerance to the allergen. For example, immunotherapy has been used to treat seasonal allergies and vaccine allergies.

Peanut allergy is the leading cause of severe allergic reactions in children and adults in the United States. Even trace amounts of peanut can cause serious reactions in sensitive people. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about 20 percent of patients with peanut allergies naturally outgrow them.

In the first study, 15 children received very small, gradually increasing doses of peanut powder, while eight children received a placebo for one year. By the end of the study, children in the peanut group were able to tolerate an average of 15 peanuts before developing allergic responses.

The second study included 12 children who had been treated with peanut powder beginning at 32 months of age and ending at five years of age. One month after discontinuing immunotherapy, the children were given peanuts. Nine of the participants were able to tolerate the peanuts and are now able to include them in their diets.

The findings, which were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, support earlier studies, which suggested that immunotherapy may help treat peanut and milk allergies.

Because food allergies can be potentially life threatening, immunotherapy is not recommended for general use. Until the safety of this treatment is tested in a larger population, people with allergies should avoid foods that trigger their allergies.

For more information about food allergies, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

Natural Standard Book Earns Rave Review

Patrick Morrison, an Honorary Professor of human genetics at the universities of Queens Belfast, Nottingham Trent and the University of Ulster, recently reviewed Natural Standard Herbal Pharmacotherapy: An Evidence-Based Approach in the Ulster Medical Society Journal, and called it “an excellent guide to herbal pharmacotherapies.”

The reference tool provides practical guidance on the use of herbal therapies for medical conditions. It is designed to be an essential part of herbal pharmacy core curricula for healthcare disciplines.

Chapters are organized by medical condition and present supportive evidence, including potential mechanisms of action and dosing, for selected herbal therapies. The chapters also include integrative therapy plans to help clinicians quickly assess patient needs and create cohesive treatment plans.

“This is an excellent book which fills the large gap in evidence that existed in this area,” Dr. Morrison states.

Several resources, including animations, Appendix C, Appendix D, Chapter 31, Grades A-F Tables and References, are available on the Evolve Web site. To order a copy of the book, please click here.

Red Clover for Depressive Symptoms

Red clover may improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women, researchers report.

Red clover is a legume that contains estrogen-like compounds called isoflavones. These isoflavones are often used to treat menopausal symptoms and high cholesterol and to help prevent osteoporosis.

The recent study included 109 postmenopausal women who were at least 40 years old. They were randomly assigned to receive either 80 milligrams of red clover isoflavones or placebo daily for 90 days. Then, after a seven-day washout period, the women switched treatment groups for an additional 90 days.

At the beginning and end of each treatment period, the researchers assessed depressive and anxiety symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zung's Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS).

In the group that took red clover, total HADS scores decreased significantly by 76.9 percent (76 percent for anxiety and 78.3 percent for depression). SDS scores reduced by 80.6 percent.

In the placebo group, total HADS and SDS scores also decreased significantly compared to baseline, but only by an average of 21.7 percent.

Although these results are promising, additional research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify a potential mechanism of action.

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

Natural Standard Review on GI Disorders Published

A Natural Standard review article on gastrointestinal disorders is featured in the latest issue of Alternative and Complementary Therapies.

The article begins with a basic overview of gastrointestinal disorders. The severity of gastrointestinal disorders varies significantly, depending on the specific type of the disease. Some disorders (such as indigestion) are mild, while others (such as Crohn's disease) are chronic. GI disorders may cause difficulty digesting food, absorbing nutrients or having normal bowel movements.

Various integrative therapy options are organized based on their evidence of effectiveness. Some of the featured therapies include calcium, probiotics, zinc, cranberry, fennel, artichoke, hypnotherapy, peppermint, psyllium and soy.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., provides the latest information on alternative therapies and how to integrate them into clinical practice. Topics include: botanical medicine, vitamins and supplements, nutrition and diet, mind-body medicine, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, indigenous medicine systems, homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, meditation, manual therapies, energy medicine and spiritual healing.

Natural Standard research articles on medical conditions will be published regularly in the journal. Natural Standard subscribers can receive a 20 percent discount on the journal by entering the discount code "natural" at checkout. To learn more about the journal and to subscribe, please visit www.liebertpub.com.

For more information about integrative therapies for gastrointestinal disorders, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.

Fruits, Veggies May Cut Breast Cancer Risk

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help lower the risk of developing breast cancer, researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 34,000 Chinese women (age 45-74) who participated in the Singapore Chinese Health Study (SCHS) between 1993 and 1995. The researchers conducted in-person interviews to learn about the participants' diets, weight, hormone use, smoking and exercise habits and education. None of the participants had histories of breast cancer.

The participants were classified has having one of two general eating habits: a "meat-dim sum" diet, which was characterized by meat, starch and dim sum items; or a "vegetable-fruit-soy" diet, which was characterized by cruciferous vegetables, fruit and tofu items. The participants received scores, representing how closely they followed their general dietary patterns.

By the end of 2005, 629 women developed breast cancer. According to the results, the greatest intake of fruits, vegetables and soy was associated with the lowest risk of breast cancer, especially among postmenopausal women. This dietary pattern was associated with a 30 percent reduced risk of breast cancer.

In contrast, the meat-dim sum dietary pattern did not appear to affect breast cancer risk. Earlier research has suggested that a higher intake of meat (especially red or processed meats) may increase the risk of various cancers.

However, this potential risk is influenced by how the meat is prepared. Stir-fried meats, commonly eaten in Singapore, contain fewer cancer-causing heterocyclic amines (HCAs) than meat that is cooked at higher temperatures (barbecued, pan-fried, etc.).

For more information about integrative therapies for breast cancer, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.

Acupuncture for Drug-Induced Joint Pain

New evidence suggests that acupuncture may help treat some of the common side effects of hormonal drugs called aromatase inhibitors.

Aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole (Arimidex®), exemestane (Aromasin®) and letrozole (Femara®), are used to treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The drugs lower blood levels of estrogen, a hormone that stimulates the growth of these cancer cells. Although aromatase inhibitors are considered effective for early-stage cancer, nearly half of people taking them experience pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles.

The researchers studied 43 women with breast cancer who reported joint pain associated with aromatase inhibitors. The participants were randomly assigned to either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture twice a week for six weeks. During the sham acupuncture, a superficial needle was inserted into non-acupoints. All of the participants continued taking aromatase inhibitors.

At the beginning of the study and three and six weeks after treatment, pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Modified Score for the Assessment of Chronic Rheumatoid Affections of the Hands (M-SACRAH).

According to the results, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, true acupuncture significantly improved joint pain and stiffness after six weeks. In addition, 20 percent of the patients who reported taking pain-relieving medications no longer needed them after acupuncture treatment. No significant improvements were reported in the sham group.

The authors concluded that "acupuncture is an effective and well-tolerated strategy for managing this common treatment-related side effect."

Although this study is promising, additional research involving a larger sample size is needed to confirm these findings.

Scientific evidence supports the use of acupuncture for several other indications, including osteoarthritis, chronic pain, post-operative pain, dental procedures, endoscopy-related pain, fibromyalgia and several types of nausea and vomiting.

For more information about acupuncture please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

Webinar Forum: Introduction to Clinical Aromatherapy for Healthcare Environments

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.

This month, Pam Conrad, RN, BSN, PGd, CCAP, discusses the application of aromatherapy techniques in clinical healthcare settings. In addition to conducting local, national and international lectures on aromatherapy, Conrad also teaches clinical aromatherapy and complementary therapy studies as a faculty at Purdue University.

To listen to the webinar, please click here. Complimentary access to the webinar is available March 1-31, 2010.

FDA: Ear Candles May Be Unsafe

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning patients and health professionals not to use ear candles because they may cause “serious injuries,” even when used as directed.

Ear candling, also called thermo-auricular therapy or coning, is a home remedy used for outer-ear hygiene and for general well-being. During an ear-candling session, a wax-impregnated fabric tube is inserted into the outer ear. It is then ignited and burns for about 10 minutes. (Since the tube is hollow, wax and burnt fabric may enter the outer ear.)

Some proponents claim that ear candles help treat earaches, sinus infections, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), sinus pain and pressure and vertigo. Some ear candlers propose that the process removes ear wax during the ear-candling session. Others allege that the procedure warms and softens ear wax, thus aiding its subsequent elimination. Another benefit cited is that smoke and heat directed into the outer ear may dry up moisture that might otherwise increase the risk of infection.

However, the FDA cautions that supportive evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Additionally, the agency has received reports of burns, perforated eardrums and blocked ear canals after use. According to the FDA, these products may be especially unsafe in children because they may be more likely to move during the procedure, and they have smaller ear canals.

For more information about ear candling, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

Herbals and Heart Health

A new analysis suggests that herbal supplements, such as Ginkgo biloba and garlic, may cause dangerous interactions when combined with heart medications.

The authors searched PubMed and Medline databases for articles about herbs and heart disease that were published in 1966-2008.

They identified nearly 30 herbal products that could cause harmful effects and should not be taken with heart medications, including those that lower blood pressure, prevent blood clots, regulate cholesterol and stabilize heart rhythms.

Bleeding was among the most common interactions that were reported. The authors found that alfalfa, angelica (dong quai), bilberry, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo and khella may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin®). The researchers also identified herbs (such as capsicum, ginseng, licorice, St. John's wort and yohimbine) that may increase blood pressure.

Grapefruit juice may also cause dangerous interactions. The fruit inhibits an important enzyme that helps break down drugs. As a result, grapefruit may increase the amount of medication in the body to toxic levels. According to the researchers, grapefruit juice may increase the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), blood pressure-lowering drugs (calcium-channel blockers) and cyclosporine (a drug that reduces the risk of transplant rejection).

"There is a clear need for better public and physician understanding of herbal products through health education, early detection and management of herbal toxicities, scientific scrutiny of their use, and research on their safety and effectiveness," the authors concluded in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Like conventional drugs, herbs and supplements may cause side effects and interact with other therapies. Natural Standard offers various decision-support tools, including Interactions and Nutrient Depletions checkers to help patients and clinicians make more informed and safer therapeutic decisions. The collaboration rigorously reviews scientific data to provide objective information about the safety and effectiveness of therapies.

Fish Oil and Psychotic Disorders

A new study suggests that fish oil may be beneficial in adolescents and young adults who are at risk of developing psychotic disorders.

Some earlier evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may have positive effects on various psychiatric illnesses, such as depression and schizophrenia. Since using antipsychotic medicine to prevent psychotic disorders is controversial, researchers set out to test the preventative effects of fish oil supplements, which are rich in fatty acids and have few side effects when used appropriately.

The study included 81 people who had low-level psychotic symptoms, transient psychotic symptoms, a schizophrenia-like personality disorder or a close relative with schizophrenia. The participants were 13-25 years old and all experienced a drastic decline in mental function within the last year.

The subjects were randomly assigned to receive fish oil supplements that contained 1.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The researchers monitored the participants for 40 weeks after treatment, and a total of 76 people completed the study.

By the end of the follow-up period, just five percent of people in the omega-3 group developed a psychotic illness compared to 28 percent in the placebo group. Additionally, people in the omega-3 group experienced significant improvements in psychotic symptoms and mental function.

Although promising, additional research is needed to confirm these findings and determine a potential mechanism of action.

Fish oil supplements are commonly taken to help prevent heart disease. Supplementation has been shown to help lower triglyceride levels and blood pressure, reduce mortality rates and abnormal heart rhythms, and prevent strokes and atherosclerosis. However, high doses may have harmful effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding.

To learn more about omega-3 fatty acids, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.