Black Cohosh and Breast Cancer Revisited
An earlier blog entry commented on a study assessing the safety of Black Cohosh in cancer patients. Previously it was thought that Black Cohosh exhibited estrogenic activity, but further research has found that Black Cohosh exerts its hormone regulating effects by modulating luteinising hormone. A population based study done in Philadelphia strengthens the case for […]
Inhibition of Aromatase by Red Clover
Red clover is one of the herbs that commonly stirs up controversy regarding it’s safety with patients that have hormonally driven tumors. Some practitioners routinely avoid isoflavone containing herbs and foods because of the possibility of antagonizing estrogen receptor positive tumor cells. An overview of the data shows that although there are some studies showing […]
Chinese Herbs and Cancer
A recent German article notes the cytotoxic properties of constituents of two Chinese herbs, one commonly used as an anti-parasitic herb, the other as a circulatory tonic and regulator. Although it seems like we pay a lot of attention to the potential cell kill factor of alkaloids present in herbs, there are many more application […]
Cancer and Obesity
We know the obvious correlation between obesity and common diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but not as commonly with degenerative diseases such as cancer with the exception of perhaps colon or breast cancer. A recent meta-analysis of 141 articles in the British medical journal The Lancet shows that increased body mass index (BMI) […]
Phthalates Harmful to Babies
Phthalates are already known to be environmental toxins that effect reproductive development; now a recent study in Pediatrics shows that they are harmful to babies. Infants are especially vulnerable to the developmental and reproductive toxicity of phthalates due to their undeveloped metabolism, and this is evidenced in the concentration of phthalates in their urine. Infants […]
Curry may be effective against endometriosis
Endometriosis can be a debilitating condition for some women. Curcumin is a component of several Chinese herbs that have been traditionally used to treat endometriosis. It is also found in high amounts in curry. Researchers recently began to look at this in controlled settings and found that curcumin both helped prevent endometriosis from spreading AND […]
Acupuncture improves ovulation and PCOS
A recent review found that “acupuncture exerts long-lasting beneficial effects on metabolic and endocrine systems and ovulation [in PCOS patients]”. J Neuroendocrinol. 2007 Nov 28 [Epub ahead of print] Note: our clinical experience confirms this. We have found that Chinese Medicine can help most cases of ovulatory problems (PCOS or otherwise). We have […]
Herb may protect ovaries and help prevent ovarian cancer
If you were a female gymnast back in the day or a tabla player, chances are you have been well exposed to talc. Turns out talc can increase the risk of ovarian cancer … thats the bad news. The good news is that pycnogenol was recently shown to prevent chemical induced carcinogenesis of the ovaries. […]
Chinese herbal tea may help prevent tumors from spreading
A recent study identified a compound in chrysanthemum that seems to help block angiogenesis and therefore can help prevent tumors from spreading. The flower is commonly steeped and combined with lycium berries for a tasty tea that is also very good for your eyes. Phytother Res. 2007 Oct;21(10):954-9
High levels of zinc can harm sperm
This is an older study, but very important. We have more and more people taking male fertility supplements, most of them high in zinc. Yes, zinc will help your sperm quality if you need it. In other words, if you are deficient in zinc it will be beneficial. If your zinc levels are normal, then […]