Browse Integrative Medicine Articles by Topic

The Mediterranean Diet and Cognitive Function: Keep the Mind Sharp

Italian seniors who ate a high-quality Mediterranean diet had better cognitive function than those who did not.

Probiotic Use to Reduce Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea

In a systematic review of probiotic use for reducing Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), probiotics appear to be most beneficial in populations with high baseline risk of CDAD (> 5%).

Caregivers and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Interventions

The authors of a review of randomized, controlled trials found that mindfulness-based stress reduction may reduce short-term anxiety and depressive symptoms in people caring for family members with dementia.

Alcohol Use: No Safe Level

A systematic analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 on alcohol-linked disorders and patterns of alcohol use over 25 years worldwide found there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

Effect of Diet on Hippocampal Volume in a Population at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in community-dwelling people (average age of 60 years) found that a long-term, high-quality diet was associated with larger hippocampal volumes after an average interval of 11 years.

Trends in Supplemental Vitamin D Intake

The authors investigated the trends in daily supplemental vitamin D intake of ≥ 1,000 IU and ≥ 4,000 IU and found increasing use of vitamin D supplementation.

Acupuncture as Adjunct Therapy for Infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for treating infertility in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome receiving clomiphene citrate or placebo offered no benefit over sham acupuncture.

Acupuncture for Pain Control in the Emergency Department

In this study, researchers treated pain in the emergency department with acupuncture alone, acupuncture with conventional medication, or medication alone. They found acute efficacy was similar, although not optimal, for all modalities.

Chocolate for Primary Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation

In a large, population-based, prospective cohort study of Danish people aged 50-64 years, researchers found that chocolate intake was inversely related to incidental rates of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

Homeopathic Remedies and Dietary Supplements in 2018: Weighing Benefits and Risks

More than half of Americans are using supplements or over-the-counter medications. Practitioners need to understand how their patients are using supplements and be able to provide accurate, factual advice on dietary supplements and homeopathic preparations. This article will evaluate each category for benefits and risks and provide details on how to research each product for available information. In addition, the article will assess various recommendations, including examples in weight loss, energy enhancement, and performance products.