Natural Standard Blog

Natural Standard on CBC News

CBC News in Canada consulted Natural Standard for an investigative report on the controversial Herbal Magic® weight-loss program.

The program includes a healthy, calorie-restricted meal plan and dietary supplements. Clients also receive support from personal health coaches.

The report, Magic in a Bottle, questioned the effectiveness of program, particularly two supplements marketed as WM-2000™ and Chromagic™.

WM-2000™ is an herbal dietary supplement that consists of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), brindall berry (Garcinia cambogia), ginger root (Zingiber officinale), gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre), and kelp (Lessonia nigrescens).

According to manufacturer data, the herbs in WM-2000™ are combined to aid in weight loss and are intended to be used as a part of a complete weight-loss program.

Chromagic™ is a dietary supplement that contains chromium, vanadium, biotin, and vitamin B6. According to manufacturer data, Chromagic™ is designed to assist in weight loss, proper insulin functioning, and blood sugar regulation. It may also help decrease appetite and sugar cravings, increase muscle mass, regulate cholesterol, and help break down carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

However, Natural Standard reviewed the scientific data and found that evidence of safety and effectiveness were lacking for both of these products. Although some of the individual ingredients have been studied, overall, supporting evidence is insufficient for these indications.

To watch the investigative report, please click here.

To learn more about the supplements discussed in the report, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

Wall Street Journal Interviews Natural Standard

The Wall Street Journal interviewed Dr. Catherine Ulbricht, co-founder of Natural Standard and senior attending pharmacist at Mass General Hospital in Boston, to learn about the safety and effectiveness of detoxification foot pads.

These adhesive pads are applied to the soles of the feet in an effort to rid the body of toxins, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc.

The news story, “Foot Pads: A Sticky Issue,” explains that manufacturer claims are not currently supported by credible scientific research. Dr. Ulbricht told the journal, “’the bottom line is, there is not high-quality scientific evidence supporting its use.”

Some products have recently come under scrutiny. In 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Xacta 3000 Inc., for falsely marketing Kinoki® detox foot pads. The FTC claims that the company used deceptive advertising by claiming that the product would not only remove toxins from the body, but it would also lower blood pressure, treat depression and even promote weight loss.

The article also notes that adverse reactions to foot pads are possible. According to Dr. Ulbricht, potential risks include skin irritation and allergic reactions to product ingredients.

To schedule an expert interview or book signing with Dr. Ulbricht, please e-mail questions@naturalstandard.com.

For more information about detoxification foot pads, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

Webinar Forum: Hypertension: An Integral, Bodymind Healing Approach

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, Michael Mayer, PhD, discusses body-mind techniques for the treatment and control of hypertension. Dr. Mayer is a licensed psychologist, hypnotherapist and qi gong/tai chi teacher who specializes in giving his patients self-healing methods for health problems. He is also a co-founder and practitioner of The Health Medicine Center, a multi-disciplinary medical clinic practicing integrative healthcare.

His latest book, Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy (2007), received a number of endorsements from top leaders in mind-body medicine, as well as from the journal PsycCritiques. It was released as a trade paperback called Energy Psychology by North Atlantic/Random House in 2009.

To listen to the webinar, please click here. Complimentary access to the webinar is available February 1-28, 2010.

Electroacupuncture May Improve Osteoarthritis Pain

New evidence suggests that electroacupuncture may help improve pain associated with knee osteoarthritis.

The study included 40 patients with chronic pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. They were randomly assigned to either electroacupuncture or sham treatment daily for 10 consecutive days. In the sham group, needles were inserted into non-acupoints, and no electrical current was used.

Before and after treatment, pain was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis knee and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Blood samples were also taken.

The authors found that the electroacupuncture group experienced significant improvements in pain compared to the control group. They also found that electroacupuncture led to increases in endorphins (chemicals that reduce pain and improve mood) and reductions in cortisol (a hormone that is secreted in response to stress).

Although promising, additional research is needed to confirm these findings.

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

Common Chemical Linked to Thyroid Disease

Exposure to the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) may be associated with thyroid disease in women, according to a new study. PFOA is a persistent organic chemical used in nonstick cookware and stain- and water-resistant coatings for carpets and fabrics.

The thyroid gland is a horseshoe-shaped endocrine gland in the neck. It is important for maintaining heart rate, regulating body temperature and supporting many other body functions, including metabolism, reproduction, digestion and mental health.

The study included 3,974 adults whose blood was sampled between 1999 and 2006 as part of the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

The researchers found that women with the highest 25 percent of PFOA concentrations (above 5.7 nanograms per milliliter of blood) were more than twice as likely to report current thyroid disease than those with the lowest 50 percent of PFOA concentrations (below 4.0 nanograms per milliliter). In men, there was a similar trend that did not reach statistical significance.

However, additional research is needed to confirm these results and to determine a potential mechanism of action.

For more information about persistent organic pollutants, please visit Natural Standard's Environment & Global Health database.

Natural Standard Publishes New Herb & Supplement Guide

Natural Standard's latest book, Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide: An Evidence-Based Reference, is expected to hit bookstores this month.

The book features 400 concise monographs on popular products, such as ginseng, lavender and glucosamine. The therapeutic effectiveness of each therapy is rated according to Natural Standard's unique A-F grading scale. Evidence tables summarize the available human data and provide a quick reference for clinical decision-making.

Therapies are also cross referenced by medical condition and scientific evidence grade. Other key information, including safety, interactions and dosing, is summarized in a user-friendly format.

To order a copy of the book, please click here.

Tobacco and TMJ Pain

Tobacco use may be associated with increased jaw pain in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, new evidence suggests.

TMJ disorders cause the jaw joint to be sore and painful. They are often divided into three categories: myofascial pain, internal derangement and arthritis. Myofascial pain occurs when the muscles that control the jaw are sore or tender. Internal derangement occurs when the joint is injured by a blow to the jaw. Arthritis may also affect the jaw, causing inflammation and swelling. A person may have one or more of these TMJ disorders, which may affect one or both sides of the jaw.

Although smoking is not considered a potential cause of TMJ disorders, some studies suggest that smoking may worsen chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, reviewed the medical records of 606 patients with TMJ disorders who were treated at the orofacial pain clinic over two years.

Overall, no link was observed between TMJ pain and tobacco use. However, tobacco users with TMJ caused by internal derangement or arthritis were 4-5 times more likely to have moderate-to-severe pain than non-tobacco users.

It is unclear exactly how tobacco use may affect TMJ pain or why this association was not noted for TMJ disorders involving myofascial pain. Additional research is needed to fully understand this potential relationship.

Several modalities, including acupressure, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, meditation, prayer, psychotherapy and relaxation therapy, have been studied as potential smoking cessation aids. However, evidence of effectiveness is lacking in these areas.

For more information about TMJ disorders, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

Prevention Interviews Natural Standard

Prevention magazine interviewed Dr. Catherine Ulbricht, co-founder of Natural Standard Research Collaboration and Senior Attending Pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, to learn about the effectiveness of historical therapies that remain popular today.

In the article, Dr. Ulbricht notes that many medications are derived from plants. “Practically all of the most widely used drugs have an herbal origin,” Ulbricht said. “The number one OTC medication, aspirin, is a synthetic version of a compound found in the willow tree. Many statins are based on fungi, and Tamiflu® originated from Chinese star anise.”

The article discusses both the traditional uses and scientific evidence for several natural products. For instance, cayenne pepper has historically been used as a pain reliever and as an aphrodisiac. Scientific data suggest that capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne, may improve circulation and help alleviate pain. Additionally, some early evidence suggests that it may have weight-loss effects and help regulate blood-sugar levels. Other featured botanicals include lemon balm, onion, plantain, parsley and hawthorn.

Because herbs and supplements can potentially interact with other therapies, they should be used cautiously. To learn more about potential interactions, please visit Natural Standard's Interactions Checker database.

Herbal Antidepressant May Not Improve IBS

St. John's wort, an herb commonly used to treat mild-to-moderate depression, may not improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), researchers report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Researchers theorized that St. John's wort may help improve IBS symptoms because antidepressant drugs are often used to treat the condition.

Up to 60 percent of people with IBS also have psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Some research suggests that the neurotransmitter serotonin may be linked to normal gastrointestinal functioning, as nearly 95 percent of serotonin in the body is located in the digestive tract. People with IBS have been shown to have fewer serotonin receptors, causing abnormal levels of serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract and possibly leading to IBS symptoms. However, the potential relationship between IBS and depression is still unclear.

In the study, 70 adults with IBS were randomly assigned to take St. John's wort or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The participants reported their overall bowel symptoms, as well as the frequency and severity of diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain or discomfort and bloating. The authors concluded that St. John's wort was less effective than placebo.

Other therapies have been studied as potential treatment options for IBS. For instance, good evidence suggests that hypnotherapy may lower the sensory and motor component of the gastrocolonic response in patients. Peppermint and probiotics may also improve symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal pain, bloating and stool frequency. There is also some evidence that probiotics may reduce swelling and improve quality of life. However, not all studies reported beneficial effects.

For more information about St. John's wort, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Natural Standard Diabetes Review in Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Natural Standard research articles on medical conditions will be published regularly in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies.

Each article begins with a general overview of the medical condition, followed by integrative therapy options. The therapies are organized based on their evidence of effectiveness.

The upcoming issue features Diabetes: An Integrative Approach. Diabetes is a long-term condition that is characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body does not respond properly to insulin (type 2 diabetes). Symptoms typically include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst and urination, poor wound healing, infections and vision problems. Long-term complications of diabetes may include heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage (called diabetic neuropathy), kidney damage (called diabetic nephropathy), eye damage and foot ulcers.

The review article discusses various therapeutic options, including alpha-lipoic acid, beta-glucan, chromium, ginseng, gymnema and stevia.

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 the effect of spirituality on health.

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 diabetes, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.