Water immersion during the early stages of labor, which involves complete abdominal submersion in a bath or pool, reduced both maternal pain and the need for epidural and spinal analgesia, according to a recent Cochrane review of 11 clinical trials.
New findings that ultra-dilute homeopathic preparations could induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines have energized the field of homeopathy, dashing critics’ oft-heard argument that homeopathy—if it works at all—is naught but a “placebo effect.”
Ginger is widely available, safe, inexpensive, and, it turns out, one of the best possible remedies for pregnancy-associated nausea. A new clinical trial involving nearly 70 women, shows that at a dose of 250 mg, four times daily, ginger is highly effective in controlling nausea and reducing vomiting.
A new, mineral-rich nutraceutical derived from a species of Irish marine algae has shown promise for improving joint function and reducing the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis.
Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy is widely recommended for preventing neural tube defects. New data indicate that it can also reduce the risk of cleft lip and congenital heart defects. At the other end of the age spectrum, folic acid in combination with vitamins B6 and B12 can reduce a woman’s risk of age-related macular degeneration.
A new prospective study of 512 women with early-stage breast cancer suggests that those with the low serum vitamin D levels were more likely to die of their cancers than those with sufficient D levels.
Hibiscus, a popular tea herb in many parts of the world, can markedly lower systolic blood pressure in type II diabetic people with mild hypertension, according to a recent clinical trial. On the other hand, black tea tends to increase systolic pressure.
Say the word “probiotic” and people think, “gastrointestinal health.” That’s natural, since probiotics are invaluable in the management of digestive system problems. But they are also helpful for other health challenges, including infections of the female urogenital tract, like bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and related problems.
There’s much more to botanical medicine for menopausal symptoms than red clover and soy isoflavones. Three recent studies show strong benefits from a standardized extract of a specific species of Rhubarb. Maca, an Andes mountain root widely touted for enhancing men’s sexual health, also benefits menopausal women.
A couple of drops of Lugol’s solution on a patient’s wrist can tell you a lot about how “hungry” someone is for iodine. If the Lugol’s stain disappears within a few hours, the patient probably needs iodine supplements.
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