Please click on the 'atmedzine ISSUE X' link to view the whole issue, or on [More on this Story] just to see that particular story:
altmedzine ISSUE 14 15 March 2007
Alternative
Medicines 'Should Be Evaluated'
The
effectiveness of alternative therapies should be examined by medical watchdogs
to see if they could save the NHS millions of pounds, according to a leading
doctor. Professor Linda Franck and colleagues say demand for complementary
medicine, whose supporters include Prince Charles, is high despite limited
evidence of its effectiveness.
[More
on this Story]
Herbal
Remedy Clinic Opens in Worcester
A
natural medicine clinic offering a range of consultations has opened in
a new Worcester shop. Following the recent opening of Culpeper in CrownGate
Shopping Centre, the store has now opened its new treatment centre offering
services such as dietary, nutritional and supplement advice, food allergy
testing, aromatherapy, sports massage, reflexology and homoeopathy.
[More
on this Story]
Buddhist
Reincarnation for Historic Baths No Longer at Risk
Built
in the 1890s the historic Manor Place Baths are being reopened as a Buddhist
retreat after years on the English Heritage Building at Risk Register.
[More
on this Story]
Cancer
Care with Mistletoe Therapy
Park
Attwood Clinic is a 14 bed clinic in Worcestershire which has cared
for hundreds of women with breast cancer over the last 24 years.
Patients are seen as out-patients and can have residential care,
with out-patient follow-up treatment.
[More
on this Story]
'TV
Therapy' is the Most Popular Way to Relax
The
4th R, a Kingston based Relaxation Training provider, reveals
that watching television is the most used method for relaxation.
The survey asked subjects to select from eight different relaxation
methods, including exercise, reading, and having a drink, but
over 1/3rd voted for settling down in the front of the box as
their most used method.
[More
on this Story]
Choosing
between NSAID and Arnica for Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis
Research
just published in Rheumatology International demonstrates that
arnica gel is as effective as ibuprofen for topical treatment
of osteoarthritis of the hand. The randomised double-blind study
of 204 patients from 20 Swiss clinics compared ibuprofen with
A.Vogel Arnica Gel.
[More
on this Story]
St. John's wort may be helpful in treating mild to moderate cases of clinical depression, but a new report from ConsumerLab.com shows that few of the herbal products tested met quality standards.
OFT
Stops 'Male Enhancement' Advert
The
OFT has obtained assurances from a United States based company
that it will no longer distribute certain mailings advertising
its penis enhancement product in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Prince's
Aide Defends Him for 'Meddling in Public Life'
The
Prince of Wales's closest aide has hit back at claims that
he abuses his position by ‘meddling’ in public
life. Sir Michael Peat, the prince's principal private secretary,
said that Charles had a right to share his views with Government
ministers in private and insisted he took pains to avoid
making political public pronouncements.
[More
on this Story]
Government
Launches Healthy Living Initiative
Public
Health Minister Caroline Flint today launched the Healthy
Living Initiative, a programme to help families lead healthier
lives.
[More
on this Story]
Action
Promised to Tackle Malnutrition and Older People
A
national action plan to tackle the issue of older people
and nutrition was announced this week by Health Minister,
Ivan Lewis.
[More
on this Story]
Omega-3
may Build Grey Matter
A
study presented this week proposes a mechanism by which
omega-3 intake could have a bearing on a person's mood and
outlook.
[More
on this Story]
Serious
Concerns Raised over Monsanto GM Maize Variety
Monsanto's
genetically modified maize MON863, authorised
for human consumption since 2006, showed signs
of liver and kidney toxicity in a rat study, raising
concerns about its safety.
[More
on this Story]
BASF
Withdraws Rice after GM Contamination
The
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is preventing
the planting and distribution of a long-grain
rice seed from BASF because it may contain genetic
material not yet approved for commercialisation.
[More
on this Story]
USDA
Approves Mass Planting of GM Rice Made with Human
Genes
For
the first time, the USDA has given preliminary
approval for large-scale planting of a genetically
engineered food crop containing human genes.
[More
on this Story]
CMO
Launches Proposals for a Global Health
Strategy
The
need for a global health strategy in order
to protect the health of the UK was outlined
in a report by the Chief Medical Officer
on 7th March.
[More
on this Story]
EU researchers will discuss ways to improve the safety and processing of organic and other ‘low-input’ foods at an upcoming meeting in Stuttgart, Germany.
A UK health pressure group has called on Europe to reform the CAP - for health reasons. ‘The Common Agricultural Policy was introduced after the experience of the war to stop starvation in Europe,’ said the faculty in a statement.
NIH-funded Clinical Trials Misguided for Supplements
The traditional scientific model does not always apply to dietary supplements, nor does the objective of government-funded clinical trials in testing them necessarily suit their common applications, according to NutraCon panelists.
Obesity a Weighty Challenge for the Food Industry
Leatherhead Food International invites you to a one-day conference chaired by Professor Colin Waine, National Obesity Forum on 20th April 2007
New
Negative Calorie 'Enviga' Soda
Falsely Advertised
A
new soda claiming it reduces calories
was doubted to be effective upon
its official release in October
2006, and now a public nutrition
and health advocacy group is suing
over false advertising.
[More
on this Story]
ConsumerLab.Com
Survey of Dietary Supplement Users
ConsumerLab.com
announced recently that 77% of
consumers recently surveyed report
being highly satisfied (‘extremely’
or ‘very’ satisfied)
with the brands of dietary supplements
that they use.
[More
on this Story]
Chinese
Shrub Offers Best Cure for Malaria
Medical
experts have named sweet wormwood
as the best fighter for the deadly
disease malaria. The shrub, Artemisia
annua, or Chinese wormwood, first
became a part of Chinese medical
knowledge more than 1,600 years
ago, and has long been an effective
way for humans to fight the infectious
and fatal disease.
[More
on this Story]
Baking
Sector Responds to Salt Criticism
The
UK's Federation of Bakers has
responded to criticism that the
sector has not done enough to
meet food standard targets on
salt reduction.
[More
on this Story]
Complaint
Against Derann Productions Upheld
A
complaint objecting to a magazine
ad for the BioEnergiser D-tox
Spa from Derann Productions was
upheld on both of the two objections
according to information published
by the Advertising Standards Authority
(ASA).
[More
on this Story]
HSE
Prosecution Highlights Bed Rail
Danger
The
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
has successfully prosecuted BUPA
Care Homes (CFC Homes) Limited,
sending a clear message to all
care home owners that they need
to properly manage the potential
risks of bed rails or cot sides.
[More
on this Story]
Final
h5n1 Restrictions Lifted
Changes
to Defra's disease control measures
put in place to tackle the H5N1
outbreak in turkeys in Suffolk
were announced on March 9th.
[More
on this Story]
Bio-Warfare
Expert Warns Of Bird Flu Misinformation
‘The
US Centres For Disease Control
(CDC) and the World Health Organisation
(WHO) are underestimating the
airborne dangers of the bird flu,’
says bio-warfare expert Jason
Cain.
[More
on this Story]
Bird
Flu Summit March 14th and 15th,
Texas Health Official Participates
Dr.
Susan Penefield, Manager of the
Infectious Disease Control Unit
at the Texas Health Department,
has joined the 4th International
Bird Flu Summit in Washington,
March 14-15, to present an overview
of the state's programmes against
infectious diseases, particularly
bird flu.
[More
on this Story]
UN
Official Urges Global Solidarity
in Bird Flu Summit
The
United Nation's Senior Coordinator
for Avian and Human Influenza,
Dr. David Nabarro, cited the importance
of global solidarity in the campaign
against bird flu at the 4th International
Bird Flu Summit being held in
Washington, DC today.
[More
on this Story]
altmedzine ISSUE 13 1st March 2007
Skills
Shortage Reports Lead to Intense Training Show Build Up
Skills
shortages and barriers to business growth receive heightened publicity
in the build up to the Health and Beauty Training Show at ExCel,
London, 19th-20th May.
[More
on this Story]
Complementary
Therapy on the Rise in Ireland
More
people in Northern Ireland are using complementary and alternative medicine,
a new survey has suggested. The University of Ulster survey found the
use of therapies such as reflexology, acupuncture and herbal medicines
was increasing.
[More
on this Story]
Junk
Food Ad Ban has 'No Real Substance'
Broadcast
regulator Ofcom has let Britain's children down by failing to introduce
a 9pm watershed ban on junk food adverts, Which? says.
[More
on this Story]
British
Approach to Junk Food Ads Praised in US
The
UK's crackdown on advertising junk food to children should serve
as an example to food companies and broadcasters in the US, according
to an influential pressure group.
[More
on this Story]
OFT
Warns - Don't Waste Money On 'Miracle' Health Cures
As
part of its Scams Awareness Month the OFT is advising consumers
not to waste money on 'miracle' health and slimming products
which don't do what they claim.
[More
on this Story]
Minister
Calls for Improvements to Mental Health Services for BME Patients
Rosie
Winterton, MP, today called for 'rapid improvement in the way
mental health services respond to the needs of BME patients'.
[More
on this Story]
Health Minister Rosie Winterton today expressed her deep concern about the impact on patient and public protection that the amendments the House of Lords has made to the Government's Mental Health Bill.
Update
On Avian Influenza Outbreak In Suffolk
Defra
has announced changes to the disease control measures put
in place to tackle the H5N1 outbreak in Suffolk.
[More
on this Story]
Homeland
Security Officials Address Bird Flu Conference
Public
Health Sector Specialist Kathie McCracken and Food and Agriculture
Program Manager Col. Lyle Jackson will keynote bird flu
talks.
[More
on this Story]
Coughs
And Sneezes Spread Diseases
Sneezing
or coughing without covering your mouth is more annoying
than people talking loudly on their mobile phone - yet nearly
half of people do not always carry a tissue outside the
home, a new survey has found.
[More
on this Story]
Afternoon
Nap Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
A
study of 23,681 Greek men and women found strong evidence
in support of the afternoon nap.
[More
on this Story]
Cadbury
Recalls Thousands More Easter Eggs
Confectionery
giant Cadbury has added thousands more Easter eggs
to a list of products being recalled amid fears
they could be dangerous for people with nut allergies.
[More
on this Story]
Eating
Watercress Found to Kill Cancer Cells
Eating
watercress daily can significantly reduce DNA
damage to blood cells, which is considered to
be an important trigger in the development of
cancer, University of Ulster scientists have revealed
this week.
[More
on this Story]
Elderly
may use Caffeinated Drinks Against Heart Disease
Over-65s
who drink four or more caffeinated beverages every
day may reduce their risk of heart disease by
a whopping 53 per cent, suggests research from
the US.
[More
on this Story]
Vitamin
A-rich Diet may Halve Stomach Cancer Risk
A
diet rich in vitamin A (retinol) may cut
the risk of stomach cancer by 44 per cent,
suggests a prospective study from Sweden.
[More
on this Story]
Vitamins
Not so Good for you After all, Study says
Researchers
from Copenhagen University Hospital in
Denmark say they found Vitamin A, vitamin
E and beta carotene taken singly or with
other supplements 'significantly increase
mortality'.
[More
on this Story]
A person's selenium intake throughout life may influence how well they retain cognitive function as they age, according to a new study published in the 'American Journal of Epidemiology.'
Defra gave approval in December for the company BASF to undertake research trials of a GM potato at two sites in England, one in Cambridgeshire and the other in Derbyshire.
GDAs 'Fundamentally Flawed', Claims Health Group
Food industry-backed front-of-pack nutritional signposting is 'fundamentally flawed', according to the National Heart Forum (NHF).
Business Continuity Research To Inform Food And Drink Industry
An independent report by Cranfield University on business continuity management in the food and drink industry has been published this week.
Use
of Alternative Medicines May Impact
Fertility Treatments
Research
from Melbourne, Australia has
shown that some 66% of patients
seeking treatment at fertility
clinics use complementary medicines
and therapies alongside prescribed
medication.
[More
on this Story]
Natural
Products New Zealand Industry
Summit
'The
place of natural health products
in health care is changing rapidly
in New Zealand, and so too are
the opportunities for business
developing those products' said
a government spokesperson at a
recent Natural Products Summit.
[More
on this Story]
Natural
Health Industry Announces Top
Performers
Outstanding
leaders in the Natural Products
Industry were recognised last
night at the 2007 Natural Products
New Zealand Annual Gala Dinner
in Nelson.
[More
on this Story]
Natural
Health Trends Corp. Announces
Reorganisation
Natural
Health Trends Corpan international
direct-selling company, today
announced that its Board of Directors
has named Chris T. Sharng as the
Company's President effective
immediately.
[More
on this Story]
Palm
Oil Research Targets Food Industry
Benefits
A
new research centre in the UK
focusing on palm oil research
using latest molecular techniques
could benefit the food industry.
[More
on this Story]
Pine
Bark Extract Shows Promise for
Diabetics
Extracts
from French maritime pine bark
may inhibit an enzyme linked to
glucose absorption 190 times more
than a synthetic medication, says
new research from Germany that
could offer significant benefits
for diabetics.
[More
on this Story]
Spearmint
Tea Helps Combat Unwanted Hair
Women
with a condition that makes them
grow hair on their breasts, faces
and stomachs may find symptoms
relieved by drinking a few cups
of spearmint tea, new research
shows.
[More
on this Story]
Study
Questions Garlic's Cholesterol-lowering
Powers
A
new trial, published in the Archives
of Internal Medicine, investigated
the effects of garlic, both raw
and from supplements, on the cholesterol
levels of 192 adults with slightly
elevated cholesterol levels
[More
on this Story]
Tea
Tree Oil Can Lead to Antibiotic
Resistance
Repeated
exposure to low doses of Tea Tree
Oil - a common ingredient in many
beauty products - can increase
the chances of suffering from
'superbug' infections, University
of Ulster scientists have revealed.
[More
on this Story]
Complaint
Against Air Ion Technologies Ltd
Upheld
A
complaint objecting to a magazine
ad for Air Ion Technologies Ltd
was upheld on both of the two
objections according to information
published by the Advertising Standards
Authority (ASA).
[More
on this Story]