Studies show vaccinated kids are 85% more likely to inject heroin
April Fools! But, an "ad" claiming this is currently making the rounds on FaceBook, Twitter, and across the Internet. Could it be true? As Snopes.com says, "FALSE." (more…)
Marijuana – The Truth – Part 5
In the book that I co-wrote with my good friend, Donal O’Mathuna, Ph.D., Alternative Medicine: The options, the claims, the evidence, how to choose wisely, we wrote an evidence-based article on marijuana. Here’s our fourth excerpt of that information: In earlier excerpts, we discussed “What It Is,” “The Claims People Make about Marijuana,” “Study Findings,” and “Cautions.” In this, our final excerpt will review “Our Recommendations.” (more…)
Marijuana – The Truth – Part 4
In the book that I co-wrote with my good friend, Donal O’Mathuna, Ph.D., Alternative Medicine: The options, the claims, the evidence, how to choose wisely, we wrote an evidence-based article on marijuana. Here’s our fourth excerpt of that information. In earlier excerpts, we discussed “What It Is,” “The Claims People Make about Marijuana,” and “Study Findings.” In this excerpt, we’ll discuss, “Cautions.” Next week, our final excerpt will review “Our Recommendations.” (more…)
Marijuana – The Truth – Part 3
In the book that I co-wrote with my good friend, Donal O’Mathuna, Ph.D., Alternative Medicine: The options, the claims, the evidence, how to choose wisely, we wrote an evidence-based article on marijuana. Here’s our fourth excerpt of that information: In earlier excerpts, we discussed “What It Is,” and “The Claims People Make about Marijuana.” Today we'll review the “Study Findings.” Next week, we’ll discuss, “Cautions,” and in the final week, our final excerpt will review “Our Recommendations.” (more…)
Marijuana – The Truth – Part 2
In the book that I co-wrote with my good friend, Donal O’Mathuna, Ph.D., Alternative Medicine: The options, the claims, the evidence, how to choose wisely, we wrote an evidence-based article on marijuana. Here’s our second excerpt of that information: In the first excerpt, we discussed “What It Is.” Today, we’ll discuss “The Claims People Make about Marijuana.” In future installments, we’ll discuss, “Study Findings,” “Cautions,” and finally, “Our Recommendations.” (more…)
Marijuana – The Truth – Part 1
Marijuana – The Truth – Part 1 In the book that I co-wrote with my good friend, Donal O’Mathuna, Ph.D., Alternative Medicine: The options, the claims, the evidence, how to choose wisely, we wrote an evidence-based article on marijuana. Here’s an excerpt of that information: In this first excerpt, we’ll discuss “What It Is.” In later installments, we’ll address “Claims about Marijuana,” “Study Findings,” “Cautions,” and finally, “Our Recommendations.” (more…)
Medical Marijuana Update #2
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: (more…)
Medical Marijuana Update #1
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 Handbook (which is endorsed by the Christian Medical Association). Added to this I can now recommend this excellent update to my chapter by Doris C. GunDersen, MD. Dr. GunDersen is the Medical Director for the Colorado Physician Health Program in Denver and this was published in the Newsletter of the Colorado Physician Health Program and titled, "Medical Marijuana - A Prescription for Trouble?": (more…)
Warning Signs of Quackery and Fraud – Part 5
Here's Part 5, the last of a series from an excerpt from my and Donal O'Mathuna's book, Alternative Medicine: The options, claims, evidence, how to choose wisely. You find the book here. 21. Does the product you’re considering require advance payment? Look out! You may never receive what you bought or get your money back. (more…)
Warning Signs of Quackery and Fraud – Part 4
Here's Part 4 from an excerpt from my and Donal O'Mathuna's book, Alternative Medicine: The options, claims, evidence, how to choose wisely. You find the book here. 16. Is a therapy encouraged simply because it’s been used for centuries by people in some remote place? This might simply mean that those people had nothing else to use. If the best texts on the subject are decades or centuries old, you’ll probably find that many of the old ideas were discredited long ago. Medicine evolves—just think about all we have discovered about nutrition in the last few decades. Continued use adds to our knowledge, uncovers side effects, fine-tunes dosage, and brings change. (more…)
Warning Signs of Quackery and Fraud – Part 3
Here's Part 3 of an excerpt from my and Donal O'Mathuna's book, Alternative Medicine: The options, claims, evidence, how to choose wisely. You’ll find out more about the book here. Next week, I’ll post another five warning signs. 11. Does the proponent of the therapy claim to be criticized unfairly? Some proponents of CAM portray themselves as martyrs, persecuted by the government, the medical establishment, or some other organization with a stake in keeping you unaware of their breakthrough. (more…)
Warning Signs of Quackery and Fraud – Part 2
Here's Part 2 of an excerpt from my and Donal O'Mathuna's book, Alternative Medicine: The options, claims, evidence, how to choose wisely. You find the book here. Next week, I’ll post another five warning signs. 6. Are technical words used without a clear definition? “Energy” is one of those words. Claims that a therapy “boosts energy” can mean anything from the common idea that you feel better able to do things, to Eastern ideas of promoting the flow of chi or prana. Introducing ideas from quantum physics is usually not necessary if the product really works. Information sheets should clarify, not baffle with mind-boggling gobbledy-gook. (more…)
Warning Signs of Quackery and Fraud – Part 1
Here's an excerpt from my and Donal O'Mathuna's book, Alternative Medicine: The options, claims, evidence, how to choose wisely. You find the book here. Each week, for the next 4 weeks, I'll post another five warning signs. So, when you suspect quackery or fraud, how do you know if your suspicions are right? What are some of the warning signs? When evaluating a medical claim, here's what to look for: (more…)
Ginger for pain relief? Maybe!
Ginger is now showing up in many supplements used for pain relief ... Pain Rx, Arthritis Rub, Minor Pain Relief, Gingerflex Natural Joint Pain Relief, and many others. (more…)
Review of pycnogenol studies says most too flawed to prove efficacy
The New York Times "Well" blog reports on research into pycnogenol, which is an extract from "French pine bark" that can be made into a supplement that users claim "strengthens cardiovascular systems and eases symptoms of chronic disorders like asthma, osteoarthritis and chronic venous insufficiency." (more…)
Review of Vitamin C supplements finds high quality but a wide range in prices
Vitamin C may boost the immune system and is critical for maintaining healthy connective tissue, but do you need to take a supplement and, if so, how do you find one that is right for you and at the best price? (more…)
Study shows how marijuana clouds memory
Scientists studying mice say they better understand how marijuana impairs working memory, the ability to momentarily retain and utilize information needed for comprehension and learning. (more…)
Selenium supplements raise risk for type 2 diabetes
Bloomberg News reports, "Supplements of selenium, a trace mineral that may help prevent some cancers, might increase the risk of type 2 diabetes if taken in large quantities, according to a review of existing studies" published in The Lancet. (more…)
Health officials warn on skin creams containing mercury
The AP reported, "The California Department of Public Health sent out a medical alert to health care professionals earlier this month, calling on them to notify the state of potential mercury poisoning cases and to ask their patients to stop using" skin-lightening creams made in Mexico. (more…)
Probiotics grow in popularity but don’t always deliver on promises
Probiotic supplements and foods containing “friendly” bacteria or yeast have become popular options for people hoping to improve bowel function or boost immunity. But many customers are confused by the vast array of choices. (more…)
Report finds illicit drugs bought on Internet could be poison (Ya think?)
HealthDay reports, "A case study of two men who were poisoned and turned blue after ingesting what they thought was a recreational drug that they had bought on the Internet highlights the dangers of such purchases," according to a study in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (more…)
Survey: Marijuana use up among teens
The Washington Post reports, "New data compiled by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the insurance industry indicates that pot smoking is up among teens, and use is higher among high school kids than it has been in three decades.” (more…)
Marijuana use before driving nearly doubles likelihood of causing crash
The AP reports, "People who use marijuana before driving are nearly twice as likely to cause a car crash as those not under the influence of alcohol or drugs," according to a study published in BMJ. (more…)
Does Andro400 (Malaysian ginseng) boost testosterone in men?
Andro400 is a new supplement used for boosting testosterone, building muscle, losing weight, and improving sexual performance in men. (more…)
Dr. Walt interviewed in article about alternative medicines
I was interviewed for and mentioned in an article by American Medical News on natural medicines (herbs, vitamins, and supplements). (more…)
Fish oil and multivitamins most popular supplements in survey
A survey of over 10,000 savvy consumers of supplements shows the most popular supplements to be fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium and CoQ10, in that order. (more…)
Scientists closer to developing ‘red wine’ in a pill
U.S. researchers believe they've discovered how resveratrol – a chemical found in red wine and other plant products – provides health benefits. (more…)
ConsumerLab lists the top-rated vitamin and supplement brands
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,260 responses collected in November, 2011. (more…)
Physician says proposed FDA regulations on supplement industry not enough
FDA The Los Angeles Times "Booster Shots" blog reports, "A new proposal to toughen the Food and Drug Administration's power to regulate dietary supplements has the makers of vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts up in arms." (more…)
Black tea may help lower blood pressure
The Los Angeles Times "Booster Shots" blog reports, "Drinking three cups of black tea daily over months may help lower blood pressure," according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. (more…)