Homeopathy:Proven Alternative Medicine Or A Placebo Part II

By Sanjib Sarkar

Homeopathy when looking at the best trials, Homeopathy performed better than a placebo on a 2 to 1 scale before 1991. This article will look at more modern trials.

New set of trials done by the Swiss-UK review team showed homeopathy medicines to give the exact same effect as a placebo remedy. This study did have some trial issues and was considered by many not to be a properly conducted trial.

We are going to examine the better done trials since 1991. We will not examine all of them but look at a fair amount of promising and not so promising evidence of properly conducted homeopathic trials.

Homeopathic Trials Below:

Trials when comparing Homeopathy to A Placebo

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 242 participants aged 18 to 55 years. Trial compared an oral homeopathic treatment to placebo in asthmatic people allergic to house dust. Authors found the homeopathic treatment "no better than placebo." They noted "some differences between the homeopathic immunotherapy and placebo for which we have no explanation."

This study was an attempt to duplicate a successful trial with allergies and asthma. The authors are uncertain why the duplication did not work. This study was bigger than the initial study.

A homeopathic study with 126 children examined homeopathic effect on acute childhood diarrhea. The study was completed by 116 children. This trial was double blind and placebo controlled. The study showed homeopathic individualized homeopathic medicines improved children with diarrhea as compared to the placebo. This trial matches a previous trial done with diarrhea.

Another study which is random, double blinded and placebo control was with the popular homeopathic remedy arnica montana. This trail examined whether the homeopathic remedy arnica can ease muscle soreness for runners after running a long distance.. 519 people were in the trial with 400 people finishing the trial. The authors concluded arnica was no more effective than a placebo in this study.

Homeopathic medicines seem to indicate a positive effect compared to a placebo during a rheumatic syndrome study. There were six controlled clinical trials done. However, there was an inadequate amount of trials to draw a conclusion and some trial outcomes were mixed.

Homeopathy's most popular drug Oscillococcinum seems to show the most promise out all the other homeopathic remedies. Many large trials using this remedy seem to indicated a positive outcome for reducing the duration of the flu as compared to a placebo. Oscillococcinum results on flu prevention proved false. This remedy showed no signs of being able to prevent the flu.

Research on some homeopathic remedies have show positive outcomes. However, more research must be completed. Several studies after 1991 show that 50% of homeopathic trials show a positive outcome.

Studies of great quality before 1991 suggest that homeopathic is more effective than a placebo in 2 out of 3 trials. Several of these trials have been duplicated including Oscillococcinum. This drug was used in several trials. Every trial showed this remedy was more effective than a placebo in reducing the duration of the flu.

Better quality studies before 1991 showed approximately a 2 to 1 ratio of sucessful trials. A couple of the trials have been reproduced in several studies. Oscillococcinum was the only study that we found that was reproduced successfully several times by different researches with a large study group.

About the Author:

Sanjib Sarkar is a content writer for Hmedicine.com. Hmedicine.com, a homeopathic remedies store offers a vast selection of homeopathy remedies for sale including Arnica Montana and Oscillococcinum

Andropause What It Does To A Man's Self Worth And Can It Be Reversed

For too many years to count, men have been accused of going through mid life crises; and it is true, many of them do. However, quite a few of the hormonal changes men go through when they reach middle age are much more serious. You may have heard of male menopause, although that phrase is an oxymoron. Men cannot go through menopause because they do not menstruate; there are no periods for them to stop. But they can go through andropause, which is the correct term used to describe what some of us recognize as male menopause.

As both names suggest, the symptoms are very similar to those experienced by women who are going through menopause and pre menopause. A man going through andropause may not experience these symptoms as severely as a woman will, but for him, they are just as serious. For instance, during this stage in his life, a man will begin to go through inexplicable mood swings. His moods will change on a dime, taking him from depressed to happy to frustrated to sad and back again. He may also begin to put on weight and lose muscle strength and definition. His libido may decrease significantly, leaving him disinterested in sex, or even unable to perform the way he did before. Depression is also a risk during andropause. Insomnia, a lack of energy, and even a less functional immune system are all symptoms as well.

For quite some time, as mentioned, most of these symptoms have been discounted. Understandably, the problems women go through during menopause. You see, despite the fact that it has been happening to women for millennium, not a lot is understood about menopause. We do not know why some women go through it earlier than others or why it does not happen to other women until very late in life. All we really know is that it is relegated by hormones. It is thus easy to see why no one know a lot about andropause.

However, we do know that it, too, is relegated by hormones. Where women's bodies are ruled by estrogen, men's are ruled by testosterone. Andropause occurs when the levels of testosterone produced by a man's body begin to decrease. In its way, this wreaks just as much havoc as fluctuating estrogen levels do in women.

Despite this lack of understanding, the effects of andropause can be devastating. However, also in spite of how little is known about it, there are things which can help men deal with their own version of menopause: human growth hormone supplements. Human growth hormone is responsible for aging. It is a naturally occurring protein. When its production begins to decrease, we start to look and feel older due to the symptoms above: weight gain, loss of muscle, fatigue, loss of libido, loss of energy, et cetera.

Human growth hormone supplement are designed to stimulate the pituitary gland. By taking it, you are not pumping your body full of synthetic HGH. On the contrary, your body is simply encouraged to produce more of a hormone that it naturally produces. When you take HGH, your metabolic rate increases and you have more energy, which makes it much easier to lose weight and rebuild muscle. You can sleep better, your memory functions better, and, quite simply, you feel better.

I enjoy writing about Anti-aging issues, fitness and natural health Supplements. http://www.hghhelp.info

Omega 3 Fish Oil vs. Top Three Drugs

By Michael Byrd

Are you aware omega 3 fish oil is just as effective, a lot safer and certainly a lot less expensive than antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs and anti-inflammatory arthritis and headache pain relievers?

Yet these three top selling classes of drugs outsell fish oil by more than 100 to one?

And, that's despite the fact that, like all pharmaceuticals, these three types of drugs have never cured a single person of depression, hypertension, arthritis or headaches. At best, they only suppress symptoms in a small percentage of people who take them.

Not only are they not really particularly effective, they may have serious side effects that may do more harm than good. Often patients are required to take another controversial drug to counteract the harmful effect of the first. Some of them, such as Vioxx, have even been taken off the market because they cause heart attacks and strokes.

And they have serious side effects that may do more harm than good. They often require patients to take yet another questionable drug to counteract the damaging effect of the first. Some of these drugs, such as Vioxx, were even taken off the market because they were found to cause heart attacks and strokes.

When you get right down to it, almost all bad health is caused by poor lifestyle choices. Lousy diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise and excess weight gain. It has nothing to do with a deficiency of drugs.

Are you aware there are other safer, more natural ways to both prevent and relieve depression, high blood pressure and inflammatory pain without resorting to prescription drugs? And one of the best alternatives is to eat fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, herring or tuna at least two or three times a week and take a good quality daily fish oil supplement.

Let's take a look at the evidence.

People with depression have significantly lower total omega 3 levels (Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 26, No. 38, 35-46). Omega 3 supplements showed significant benefits in just three weeks of treatment (American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 159:477-479). Omega 3 fatty acids were also found to be effective treatments for both bipolar disorder (Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 56 No. 5) and borderline personality disorder patients (American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 160:167-169).

Fish oil has also been shown to be highly effective at lowering blood pressure. That's one major reason why the American Heart Association (AHA) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend everyone eat cold water, fatty fish at least a couple of times a week.

The AHA and NIH also recommend people with heart disease symptoms (for example, high blood pressure) take daily fish oil supplements providing at least one gram of combined omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids.

And as far as arthritis and headache inflammatory pain relief is concerned, fish oil omega 3 has been shown to be nature's safest, most potent and effective alternative to over the counter NSAIDs such as Advil, Motrin, Nuprin and Aleve (Arthritis and Rheumatism, Vol. 38: 1107-14.) As a matter of fact, in many scientific studies, patients were able to significantly reduce and even completely eliminate prescribed pain medications after starting a fish oil omega 3 treatment program.

In fact, in many of the scientific studies reviewed, patients were able to greatly reduce and even totally eliminate prescribed pain medications after starting an omega 3 fish oil treatment program.

And, if you're concerned about toxins in fish oil, the Harvard University School of Public Health says you can sit back, relax and enjoy your broiled salmon dinner. After reviewing all the relative studies, they recently confirmed fish oil benefits far outweigh the threat of mercury or other toxins in fish by as much as 500 to one. (Journal of the American Medical Association 2006, Vol. 296: 1885-99)

You don't need to look to hard to find high quality fish oil supplements that are safe and fully guaranteed to be 100% pure and toxic free. (www.omega-3.us).

Therefore, prior to starting a drug program or even if you are already on one consider eating more dish and taking omega 3 fish oil supplements instead. Who knows? You just may get better or equal results without the dangerous side effects and save a bundle of money at the same time. Now that sounds like a winning combination to me, don't you think?

About the Author:

For the most up to date information about fish oil, This is the only resource you will ever need - fish oil.

Save your life - How to Cut Sugar from Your Diet

By Micheal Parkes

Sugar is ever prevalent in our diets - ranging from high sugar content in processed food to fast foods. It can be a challenge to cut sugar from your diet, but the health benefits itself is worth the effort. When blood sugar levels are constantly high, the chance of getting diabetes is increased. Diabetes has its own complications which in turn affects our general health. Hence, this article will explore the age old question of how to cut sugar from your diet?

It is important to take note of the various healthy food groups. Being aware of the healthy food groups help to make better food choices, even helping to draw up your own healthy snack menu. It is far better to snack on low-sugar, low-fat foods such as fruits or vegetables.

Sugar substitutes can present as an excellent alternative to using sugar. Viable substitutes include using naturally available spices to sweeten your food. There are various spices that can be used for this function; they include ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and so on. In addition to being able to sweeten up food, they also give it a unique flavor. For a more refreshing taste, you may even consider using a combination of those spices.

A tried and tested method of cutting down on sugar is to use artificial sweeteners. The use of artificial sweeteners has helped in the food and beverage industries, as they are marketed as no-sugar drinks. An interesting fact is that artificial sweeteners can even be used for relishes and pickles, but this is provided you have the right recipe to make it.

Furthermore, snacking is a habit that unknowingly increases your daily sugar intake as well. Substituting regular chips and dips with toast and sugar-free jam can help to lower sugar intake. Fresh fruits are also good methods of snacking as they are refreshing and healthy too.

The caloric content in sugar is very high. It may even exceed the amount of sugar one needs in a day. Long term effects from high sugar consumption is inevitably, weight gain. Being overweight increase the chance of getting various medical conditions. In order to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle, cutting sugar from your diet is a wise move.

Sugar reduction in our diets is a necessity as it helps us to maintain our health and emotional well-being. A little bit of sugar is needed in our diets, as the brain relies on glucose as its main source of energy, but too much is a health risk. The risks of getting diabetes, blood pressure problems or health diseases are greatly increased if long term sugar intake is high.

If you do choose to indulge in sugary foods e.g. brownies, cakes or ice cream, try to ensure that the portion size is appropriate. Some brands of these products come in single serves, which are good choices to help limit your consumptions of these foods.

About the Author:

Micheal Parkes is a health conscious food lover. He runs an informational website that provides tips on how to cut sugar from your diet as well as promotes interest in healthy international cuisines. As a bonus to his valued readers, his site provides free low sugar diet information, please visit Micheal's site at http://www.online-food-guide.com.

What Does Isolated Systolic High Blood Pressure Mean?

By Christian Goodman

Blood pressure concerns are completely understandable. I suffered from high blood pressure myself and now spend my time researching this problem as well as many other health conditions.

In general, a reading of 140 over 90 is considered "high." 120 over 80 up to 139 over 89 is usually considered "pre-hypertension." The top number is called the systolic pressure.

Why are these numbers that important? As we age, hypertension tends to be more prevalent. In fact, it is estimated that up to two thirds of the population over age 65 have high blood pressure. Some even believe the increase begins around age 50.

If not treated, hypertension can continue to put strain on the heart which can then increase the chances of heart attacks or strokes.

Other organs can be affected as well such as the kidneys.

Isolated systolic high blood pressure typically describes a situation in which the systolic reading is measuring high where the diastolic may not be. The systolic reading measures the force of blood through the arteries while the heart beats.

Since the diastolic pressure actually decreases as we age, the systolic pressure has particular importance. Note however, that both measurements are important to properly diagnose the presence of high blood pressure.

To confirm whether or not you fall into the high blood pressure arena, you should have it checked (and probably re-checked by your doctor.)

Bear in mind that you may not necessarily feel "bad" yet still have high blood pressure. That is how it gets its nickname, the "silent killer." If left unchecked, some people are unaware that blood pressure was even an issue until they are faced with serious health problems including stroke or heart attack.

The possibility of medication being prescribed does deter some people from having their blood pressure professionally checked. Actually, it is the side effects of the medication that can be a deterrent. This is important to discuss with your physician.

Of course, sharing this concern may not change the course of action recommended by Western medical professionals.

In fairness though, many doctors worry that certain dietary and physical changes will not be followed through on by the patient. Therefore, medication becomes the first line of defense.

My all natural High Blood Pressure Program has been tremendously successful in treating and curing high blood pressure (be is Isolated Systolic or otherwise high.) It is very relaxing and requires a small fraction of your time.

EL331002

About the Author:

Christian Goodman is a very popular health researcher and creator of several revolutionary alternative healthmethods. One of his best known breakthroughs is his natural method for high blood pressure. You can learn more about Christian on his Natural Health Blog.