Integrative Medicine Alert – December 1, 2010
December 1, 2010
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Can Vitamin D Protect Against Colds and Flus?
Laboratory science has delineated convincing connections between vitamin D and immune system function, some of which have been borne out in clinical trials on the prevention and treatment of respiratory infections. -
Evening Primrose Oil for Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome and Menopause
A shift has occurred in recent years from viewing menopause as "a natural life event" experienced by women to "a condition that requires medical management." -
Insult Becoming Injury — Stress and Metastases
A murine model was employed to assess the effects of chronic stress on metastatic breast cancer spread. The researchers used a variety of tools to investigate the neuroendocrine, molecular, and cellular effects of chronic stress in this setting. Their findings suggest that chronic stress induces a significant increase in the extent of cancer spread through the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The findings open numerous research questions yet to be answered, as well as great therapeutic possibilities. -
A Whole New Headache — Acetaminophen and Coronary Artery Disease
It has long been assumed that acetaminophen, the common analgesic agent, is relatively safe for people with known coronary artery disease, in contrast to NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. But assumptions can be dangerous, and this small study suggests that acetaminophen use may have similar risks associated with it, specifically increases in blood pressure. -
Pharmacology Watch
Tiotropium for uncontrolled asthma, sibutramine pulled from market, incidence and mortality data from WHI, FDA Actions.