Integrative Medicine Alert – November 1, 2011
November 1, 2011
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Can Fish Oil Interfere with Chemotherapy?
This basic science paper explores the role of the tumor microenvironment in the development of tumor resistance to chemotherapy. Two distinct fatty acid molecules, endogenously produced by cancer cells in response to platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, were found to confer significant tumor chemoresistance. Remarkably, these two fatty acids also were shown to be present in several commercial fish oil products, and, of potential import to clinicians, the oral administration of small amounts of these fish oils induced tumor resistance to cisplatin in a mouse tumor model. -
Just the Flax Lignans and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
In a case-control study using a biomarker for lignan intake, women with breast cancer who had higher levels of the biomarker post-diagnosis had a reduced risk of mortality over a median follow-up period of 6 years compared to women with low levels of the biomarker. -
15 to Life Limited Exercise and Mortality Risk
Data from this large observational trial with an average follow-up of over 8 years suggest that even 15 minutes a day of moderate-intensity exercise, such as taking a brisk walk, provides significant health benefits in terms of lowered mortality risks and life extension. -
From Questions to Answers: How Research Is Designed
This is the second in a three-part series about the design and conduct of clinical research. -
Constipation, Cardiovascular Disease, and the Connection
In postmenopausal women, constipation is associated with having major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and increased cardiovascular risk. -
Chinese Herbal Remedy for H1N1
Thousands of Chinese used a compound called maxingshigan-yinqiaosan (MY) for treatment of flu symptoms during the 2009 H1N1 epidemic. MY is a concoction of 12 different herbs, including toasted Herba ephedra, as well as qinghao, gypsum fibrosum, and rhizoma. -
Why You Should Outsource Your Weight Loss Treatment
Participation in Weight Watchers resulted in a greater weight loss over a year than did clinical intervention in a primary care office.