In this issue...
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the April 2009 issue of True North's Tune-Up. We continue to emphasize "up stream" strategies for health in the areas of nutrition, mind-body, and lifestyle. Studies are from peer-reviewed scientific journals. Archived prior issues of the Tune-Up may be found at www.truenorthhealthcenter.org/tune_up_archives.asp.
To your health,
B. Joseph Semmes, MD
Director of Research, True North
Diplomate, American Boards of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine (ABIM) and Emergency Medicine
bjsemmes@truenorthhealthcenter.org
Curcumin may prevent GI tract cancers
This review by a distinguished cancer biochemist from the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, highlights actions of this culinary spice in curry. Also called turmeric, curcumin has long been a medication in the Ayurvedic tradition.
Read curcumin review
Non-drug approaches help in irritable bowel syndrome
This review last year in the Journal of Family Practice suggests the herbal preparations iberogast, hypnosis, cognitive behavioral counseling and soluble fiber (found in fruits, oats, barley, some beans and psyllium) can help patients with IBS.
Learn about non-drug approaches to IBS
Read Wikipedia's Iberogast description
Lifestyle changes can reduce woman's risk of heart attack by 92%
Walking or biking an hour a day, eating a vegetable based whole grains diet, consuming a moderate amount of alcohol, and not smoking markedly reduced the risk of myocardial infarction in this study of more than 24,000 postmenopausal Swedish women followed for 6 years.
Read this lifestyle study regarding women's heart attack risk
Chronic stress leads to cognitive decline
In this study of 1140 Baltimore residents aged 50 to 70, an elevated cortisol blood level was associated with poorer cognitive function across a range of domains. The authors conclude that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation may be a risk factor for poorer cognitive performance in older persons.
Read about the Johns Hopkins study linking stress to poor memory
Read the full text of the study in the Archives of General Psychiatry
Non-contact therapeutic touch relieves pain after surgery
This small study showed that 22 of 30 elderly who had recently been through surgery had significant pain reduction when compared to those who received usual care.
Learn about benefits of therapeutic touch after surgery
This earlier Cochrane review shows that reiki significantly lowered pain scores compared to standard care.
STAY TUNED!
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Disclaimer:
Information provided in the True North Tune-Up is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The information and links in this e-publication are intended to provide general education on the topics listed, but you should not use the information or links to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare practitioner. True North advises you to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioner prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
