Browse Integrative Medicine Articles by Topic

Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss: Hope or Hype?

This article explores the existing evidence for using intermittent fasting as a strategy to promote weight loss. The evidence suggests that intermittent fasting worked as well as continuous energy restriction to achieve weight loss, but was not superior.

USPSTF Releases Draft Recommendations for Healthier Diets, More Physical Activity

The panel suggests using behavioral counseling to promote overall better lifestyles, prevent cardiovascular disease.

Cannabis for Mental Health Disorders: Follow the Evidence

In a review of 83 eligible studies, researchers found little evidence to support the efficacy of cannabinoids to treat depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or several other mental health disorders.

Type of Provider and Opioid Use in New-Onset Low Back Pain

When compared to an initial visit with a primary care physician, patients who initially received care for new-onset low back pain from a chiropractor, physical therapist, or acupuncturist had decreased odds of both early and long-term opioid use.

Brief, Targeted Intervention to Stop Smoking

A one-minute intervention giving facts about the health impact of smoking was presented to 787 men waiting to be seen in Hong Kong emergency rooms. At a six-month follow-up, investigators found a significantly higher abstinence rate in the intervention group.

Social Media Use and Disordered Eating in Young Adolescents

The authors of this exploratory study in 996 young adolescents found an association between time spent on social media, number of social media accounts, and evidence of disordered eating behaviors.

Black Elderberry Supplementation for Upper Respiratory Infection Symptoms

SYNOPSIS: A meta-analysis of results from four randomized, controlled clinical studies evaluating the effect of black elderberry supplementation suggests that the botanical significantly reduces upper respiratory symptoms due to common cold and influenza viruses.

Cannabis for Mental Health Disorders: Follow the Evidence

In a review of 83 eligible studies, researchers found little evidence to support the efficacy of cannabinoids to treat depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or several other mental health disorders. There is low-grade evidence that pharmaceutical cannabis may help improve symptoms of anxiety in patients with a comorbid medical condition.

Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality: Does the Type of Meat Consumed Matter?

Investigators found consuming more processed meat, unprocessed red meat, or poultry (but not fish) was closely connected to a higher risk for incident cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, consuming processed meat or unprocessed red meat (but neither fish nor poultry) was strongly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality.

Cannabis in the Treatment of Headache and Migraine

The authors of this observational study found nearly a 50% reduction in self-reported headache and migraine severity following use of inhaled medicinal cannabis.