Articles filed under Massey, Patrick

• It’s worthwhile to limit exposure to BPA May 14, 2012 12:00 AM
  Can a chemical, bisphenol A, lining the cans of many canned foods, increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes? According to two large medical studies, the answer is yes. One of the downsides of living in a technological world is that we are exposed to more man-made compounds than in the past. Unfortunately, a number of these man-made compounds may have negative effects on our health.
  

   

• Curcumin shows promise in easing rheumatoid arthitis pain Apr 16, 2012 12:00 AM
  For centuries, spices have been used as medicines. Today their healing potential is again being rediscovered, especially curcumin. In one recent medical study, curcumin was found to be better than conventional medications at relieving the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
  

   

• Prunes may have positive impact on osteoporosis Apr 2, 2012 12:00 AM
  Recently, one of my patients told me that she read that dried plums (prunes) can reverse osteoporosis. I was somewhat skeptical, but I researched it and there are several published studies on the benefits of dried plums on osteoporosis.
  

   

• Going with the flow of bio-energy healingMar 19, 2012 12:00 AM
  Bio-energy healing is one area of nontraditional medicine that is quietly making inroads into traditional medicine. However, there are many forms, various levels of training and the theory behind it can be confusing.
  

   

• Parkinson’s patients could benefit from tai chi Mar 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  Can practicing a centuries-old martial art improve balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease? One research study suggests that the regular practice of tai chi can improve balance and postural control in such patients.
  

   

• Vitamin C may help reduce fatigueFeb 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  Many patients complain to their doctors that they are tired and are looking for answers. Vitamin C may help. Although anecdotal data suggests that vitamin C may reduce fatigue, the medical research is mixed.
  

   

• Eating raw fruits, veggies a healthy idea Jan 23, 2012 12:00 AM
  It is common knowledge that eating fresh fruits and vegetables is healthy. Some have promoted that raw fruits and vegetables are better for your health than processed or cooked fruits and vegetables … and they may be right. Recent research is showing that a diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables significantly reduces the risk of stroke.
  

   

• Many benefits go along with vitamin D Jan 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  There is a lot of research going on with vitamin D. Vitamin D use is associated with significant reductions in the risk of a number of cancers, diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disease. Vitamin D has been shown to be a biologically important compound binding at over 2,000 sites on DNA and influencing over 200 different genes.
  

   

• Frankincense, myrrh still valuable gifts Dec 26, 2011 12:00 AM
  This is the time of the year when the story of the three wise men is often told and how they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child. When I was younger, I knew that gold was valuable, but why frankincense and myrrh? The answer is that 2,000 years ago, frankincense and myrrh actually had much greater value than gold because they were effective as medicines.
  

   

• Include walnuts in foods good for the brain Dec 12, 2011 12:00 AM
  It has been said that fish is good for the brain, but what about other foods, like walnuts? Medical research strongly suggests that brain function is very dependent on the food we consume. The brain needs a lot of nutrients, fats, minerals and vitamins. A recent medical study suggests that eating the wholesome walnut can help the brain and improve the reasoning process in college students.
  

   

• Herb butterbur may be allergy alternative Nov 28, 2011 12:00 AM
  Butterbur is an herb, a member of the daisy family that grows throughout North America. Historically it has been used to treat abdominal pain, headaches, asthma, insomnia and as an appetite stimulant. In a recent series of medical studies, it seems to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
  

   

• Green tea may boost flu protection in kids Nov 14, 2011 12:00 AM
  The flu season is upon us and our front-line defense, the flu vaccine, does not protect us 30 percent to 40 percent of the time (sometimes more). However, a recent medical study indicates that simply drinking a cup of green tea every day may prevent influenza infection, especially for school-age children.
  

   

• Fecal transplantation shows results against bacterial infection Oct 31, 2011 12:00 AM
  Although most of the time, we try to avoid contact with fecal matter, there may be one situation where it could save your life. Regarding an infection by the bacteria Clostridium difficile, using fecal matter may be the best choice.
  

   

• Experts remain split on safety, benefits of vitamins Oct 17, 2011 12:00 AM
  Do vitamins increase the risk of death? According to one recent medical study, the conclusion may be yes. However, does the data really support the conclusions or are the results being exaggerated? In my opinion, the conclusions of the study are a real stretch based on the structure of the study itself.
  

   

• Too many questions surround hair analysis Sep 19, 2011 12:00 AM
  Hair analysis is a procedure that is relatively common in some areas of nontraditional medicine. The hair is analyzed for content of specific minerals and vitamins. Unfortunately, except for detecting acute arsenic and cadmium poisoning as well as illegal drug use, there is no reliable data to indicate that this particular procedure is beneficial in diagnosing or treating any specific medical condition.
  

   

• Beans a healthier option than rice Sep 5, 2011 12:00 AM
  Two of the most common foods, worldwide, are beans and rice. Both can have profound and opposite effects on developing a serious medical condition, metabolic syndrome.
  

   

• Tai chi may lessen rheumatoid arthritis symptoms Aug 22, 2011 12:00 AM
  Practicing tai chi may significantly improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but a recent medical study demonstrated that the benefits of the martial arts exercises extend beyond simply reducing symptoms.
  

   

• Research on vitamin benefits continues Aug 8, 2011 12:00 AM
  Do vitamins actually decrease the risk of illness? This is a question that has been asked for decades. On one end of the spectrum there are those who say that if you have a healthy diet, you don’t need any vitamins. On the other end, are those who megadose vitamins on a daily basis. The answer is probably somewhere in the middle.
  

   

• ‘Integrative' approach can make hospital care betterJul 25, 2011 12:00 AM
  How do you find a good hospital? Well, you may want to look at those hospitals and medical centers that offer complementary and alternative medicine.
  

   

• Could supplement have effect on autism? Jun 27, 2011 12:00 AM
  The number of children who are diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Although there are no medications that directly treat autism, two recent studies suggest that the dietary supplement, carnitine, may help treat the illness itself.