Several readers have requested that I post the advice that I both use in practice and teach other healthcare professionals when it comes to a topic on which I frequently teach, Natural Medications for Osteoarthritis: An evidence-based evaluation.
This year I’ve given this talk in several hospitals and to state and national gatherings of physicians and [...]

The New York Times reports that although “tablets that combine glucosamine and chondroitin are popular for those seeking relief from arthritis. Elations offers the supplements in the form of a bottled eight-ounce juice drink or powder mix, and it turns out the beverage appeals to consumers who have trouble swallowing not just pills – but [...]

I’ve posting a blog on the effectiveness of glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis of the knee. In my practice, it’s never seemed to work well for arthritis or degenerative disc disease of the lower back. Now, there’s new data supporting my observation.
On its website, ABC News reported, “Glucosamine has looked like salvation to many people with [...]

The Chicago Tribune reports that a letter sent on June 17 by the FDA to retired Kentucky chemist Boyd Haley “details five violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act related to his product, OSR#1.”
According to the agency, the purported autism treatment “is NOT a harmless dietary supplement, as claimed, but a toxic unapproved [...]

Autism (and the autism spectrum disorders) are so very frustrating for parents just because there are so few therapies that have been shown to be helpful. Therefore, parents are left to try this or that and see what helps. Dietary manipulation is one that is frequently tried and yet has not been well studied.
Now, USA [...]

A medication called Sativex has become the first drug fully approved for multiple sclerosis that is made from natural cannabis according to a report in WebMD. Here are the details:
The United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved the drug, an oral spray, earlier this year. The drug has been available in Canada on [...]

Each Monday, we have all been awaiting the update from from Craig and Tonya DeLisi about their unborn child Anastasha, who has been diagnosed, via ultrasound, with anencephaly, for which there is no cure or treatment. I hope you’ll join with me in keeping the DeLisis in your prayers.
Because your love is better than life, my lips [...]

As the author of a best-selling book on Alternative Medicine (Alternative Medicine: The options, the claims, the evidence, how to choose wisely), I’m often speak to healthcare professionals about natural medications (herbs, vitamins, and supplements) for a variety of conditions. For some conditions there are more options than for others — and, fortunately, those who [...]

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The use, abuse, and prescription of medical marijuana is a concern of most primary care physicians and a topic we are not infrequently asked about. As a writer and teacher of healthcare professionals, I am often asked to address the topic. So, I have an evidence-based chapter on marijuana in my book, Alternative Medicine: The Christian [...]

The use, abuse, and prescription of medical marijuana is, no doubt, an evolving landscape. I have a chapter on medical marijuana in my book, Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook (endorsed by the Christian Medical Association). Now, here’s an excellent update to that chapter by Matthew J. Seamon, PharmD, JD, which was published in MedScape:
Background
Marijuana has [...]

The Los Angeles Times “Booster Shots” blog reports that shark cartilage may not benefit patients with lung cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Investigators “enrolled 379 patients with non-small cell lung cancer that could not be treated surgically.” All of the participants “received standard radiation and chemotherapy,” while [...]

Today I’m in Orlando, Florida, where I’ll be speaking to the Florida Academy of Family Physicians on this exact issue. And, I find that most of my patients and most physicians are simply unaware of the danger. The New York Times is reporting, “Nearly all of the herbal dietary supplements tested in a Congressional investigation contained [...]

The Los Angeles Times  ”Healthy Skeptic” column reports that “NuAge Colon Cleanse and Oxy-Powder makers say their products rid the body of toxins and help people lose weight.”
According to the “NuAge website … the product contains ‘muciligenic fibers,’ but it doesn’t provide any other information about ingredients or directions for use,” while “Oxy-Powder, a supplement [...]

On the front of its Personal Journal section, the Wall Street Journal reports that increasingly, Americans are giving their children dietary supplements. However, groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association, caution that food is the best source of nutrition.
In addition, many supplements, if taken in excess, can prove dangerous.
Nevertheless, [...]

As I report in my best-selling book, Alternative Medicine: The claims, the options, the evidence, how to choose wisely, St. John’s wort can be a safe and effective antidepressant herb for mild to moderate depression. But, as I warned in my book, and as yet another independent quality testing lab reports, heavy metal contamination and [...]

The Los Angeles Times reports that although “tinnitus can sometimes be treated with electronic masking devices” or “cognitive behavioral therapy,” a number of sufferers “end up looking for tinnitus relief in a pill.”
One such “homeopathic supplement” is called Quietus, which is said to contain a “powerful lineup of ingredients.”
Tinnitus Relief Formula, which is a capsule that [...]

Researcher have found a dangerous mix of amphetamines, tranquilizers and antidepressants found in some pills. Although marketed on the Internet as “natural,” the popular weight loss supplements known as Brazilian diet pills contain potentially addictive ingredients. Here are the details in a report from HealthFinder:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers in 2006 of dangers [...]

My favorite natural medicines website is the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. The NMCD has new information about L-methylfolate which is being heavily promoted, especially on the Internet, by some manufacturers as a more active form of folic acid. Are they telling the truth? Here’s the information from NMCD:
L-methylfolate is in many prenatal vitamins such as [...]

Whenever I give talks on natural medications (herbs, vitamins, and supplements), whether to healthcare professionals or laypersons, people seem shocked to learn that these substances are virtually unregulated in the United States. I’ve written about the many problems this causes healthcare professionals and consumers in my book, Alternative Medicine: The options, the claims, the evidence, [...]