Articles filed under Massey, Patrick

• Flawed study leads to some wrong impressions May 13, 2013 12:00 AM
  There are times when the reporting of a news item may infer a conclusion quite different than reality. Unfortunately this happens not infrequently in the reporting of medical research. A case in point is the recent release of the medical study suggesting that the consumption of red meat, specifically one component of red meat — carnitine, may increase the production of a compound linked with heart disease.
  

   

• Essential oils can play a role in treating acne Apr 15, 2013 12:00 AM
  Essential oils have been a significant component of medical therapy for thousands of years. The role of essential oils in medicine today has been replaced with prescription medications. With the increasing demand for natural therapies, one could ask question "are essential oils making a comeback?" There are a number of medical studies, over the past several years, exploring the use of specific essential oils on skin conditions, especially acne.
  

   

• Intravenous vitamin C shows promise in treating pancreatic cancer Apr 1, 2013 12:00 AM
  Could the use of intravenous vitamin C be an important key in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer? According to one recent medical study, the answer is yes. Patients who had a combination of intravenous vitamin C and chemotherapy did significantly better than the national average of patients just taking chemotherapy alone. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. It is a particularly difficult form of cancer to treat and, unfortunately, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing.
  

   

• Mediterranean diet takes healthier approach to eating Mar 18, 2013 12:00 AM
  For more than 30 years Dr. Andrew Weil has been the leading proponent of the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. During this time, there have been many studies demonstrating that a diet composed of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, nuts and seeds, small amounts of red meat and increased amounts of fish reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and even premature death. In the New England Journal of Medicine, a large study confirmed that the Mediterranean diet significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in people who are at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
  

   

• Dietary supplement may ease stress response in some people Feb 18, 2013 12:00 AM
  In a previous column, I discussed the effects of stress on health, but not everyone responds to stress in the same manner. Although we live in a society where stress seems to be lurking on every street corner and hiding behind every tree, some people respond to chronic stress more intensely than others. These folks are the ones who probably need more help. One of the more potent dietary supplements for combating the effects of stress is omega-3 fat. Increasing omega-3 fats in the diet, especially docosahexanoic acid and phosphatidylserine can reduce stress hormone levels in both animals and humans.
  

   

• Why it's so important to reduce your stress level Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
  Today, we are under more stress than ever. From the time we get up to the time we go to bed, there is little time when we are not under some stress of some nature. Stress is not benign. Chronic stress contributes to all illness. And long-term stress is quite damaging to the body.
  

   

• Exercise has a huge impact on diabetes Jan 21, 2013 12:00 AM
  There is no doubt that regular physical activity is key in the treatment of diabetes. Decades of medical research has shown that physical exercise not only reduces the need for medication, but in some cases may actually reverse type II diabetes.
  

   

• Chronic depression could have ties to 'leaky gut syndrome' Dec 24, 2012 12:00 AM
  Is it possible that the key to depression is linked to bacteria in the bowels? Numerous studies over the past five years have suggested that the root of chronic depression may be associated with a specific medical condition known as leaky gut syndrome. Correcting this medical condition can result in significant improvement in chronic depression.
  

   

• Massage proves effective in reducing arthritis pain Dec 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  Can an age-old therapy reduce the pain associated with arthritis of the knee better than the usual medical care? According to one recent medical study, massage was significantly better than the usual medical care in reducing the pain and loss of function associated with knee arthritis or osteoarthritis.
  

   

• Some promising news on chelation therapy Nov 12, 2012 12:00 AM
  There is robust medical evidence to indicate that specific metals in our environment can make their way into our bodies. Lead, mercury, cadmium and other metals that are commonly found in our environment can result in an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, asthma and other medical illnesses. However, a new study shows chelation therapy may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and death in those patients with existing coronary artery disease.
  

   

• Work continues on effects of B6 on cancer riskOct 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Until recently, there has been scant evidence suggesting that taking vitamins would prevent any form of cancer. Recently, there have been several medical studies demonstrating that taking a multivitamin or individual vitamins reduced the risk of developing cancer in both men and women. One recent study showed that higher blood levels of vitamin B6, in postmenopausal women, significantly reduced the risk of developing breast cancer.
  

   

• Doctor’s tale adds credibility to out-of-body experiences Oct 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  Although medicine prides itself on having its foundation in hard science, there have been many well-documented reports of patients having out-of-body experiences during surgery and near death. Most of these reports are dismissed as fantasy, but there are some documented experiences that are so detailed as to defy explanation.
  

   

• Concierge medicine has its pros and cons Oct 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  Would you pay an additional $1,000 or $2,000 per year to have unlimited access to your doctor, office visits that last over an hour and an individualized medical approach rather than simply treating symptoms as needed? If you would, you have entered the new world order of concierge medicine.
  

   

• Practicing tai chi may promote a longer life Sep 17, 2012 12:00 AM
  It is a well-known fact that exercise is beneficial for health, but can exercise help you live longer? Some preliminary research suggests that the practice of tai chi may affect our very DNA promoting longer life. Tai chi like movements have been practiced for over a thousand years. There are many styles of tai chi and, today, it is practiced by millions of people around the world. Although tai chi does have pugilistic applications, most practice tai chi as a way of staying healthy and physically fit.
  

   

• Acupuncture another option when facing depression Sep 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  A recent study in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry suggests that acupuncture, as a stand-alone therapy, may be quite effective for mild to moderate depression. This particular study was a compilation of several different studies looking at the effectiveness of acupuncture at relieving the symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
  

   

• Try to limit your exposure to chemicals in environment Aug 13, 2012 12:00 AM
  Chemicals in our environment are continuing to have an increasing influence on our health — especially a group of commonly used chemicals classified as endocrine disruptors. It has been proposed that these chemicals have a profound effect on many common illnesses including obesity, Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
  

   

• Underactive thyroid may mimic symptoms of aging Jul 23, 2012 12:00 AM
  Fatigue, weight gain, hair loss and decreases in memory are, for many people, attributed to symptoms of aging. However, aging may not be the cause. These symptoms may be the result of an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism.
  

   

• Probiotics may help offset drug-associated diarrhea Jul 9, 2012 12:00 AM
  Bacteria-killing antibiotics have proved to be a friend to mankind, saving countless millions of people worldwide. However, not all bacteria are pathogenic and antibiotics do not differentiate between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria. Medication-associated diarrhea (antibiotic and chemotherapy) has become increasingly common, especially in hospitals and nursing homes.
  

   

• Supplements may lower effects of chronic stress Jun 25, 2012 12:00 AM
  Chronic stress may be the No. 1 health problem in the United States today. In our modern society, everyone is under some level of stress. Chronic stress is a major risk factor in almost all illnesses, especially high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Can select dietary supplements help the stress response?
  

   

• Diet, exercise can ease impact of knee arthritis Jun 11, 2012 12:00 AM
  Dr. Massey discusses the growing problem of osteoarthritis of the knee, an issue for milions of Americans. Studies show a little exercise and weight loss by patients could save more than $700 million per year in costs.