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Beetroot Juice and Aerobic Endurance and Blood Pressure

Researchers found that drinking beetroot juice daily improves submaximal aerobic endurance in patients with cardiac failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Low Back Pain: Evidence for Nonpharmacologic Therapies

Developed for use in the new American College of Physicians guidelines, the authors reviewed evidence regarding non-pharmacologic interventions in treatment of low back pain.

Insomnia Disorder: Evidence for Psychological and Behavioral Interventions

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective intervention for moderate to severe insomnia disorder and should be considered as an initial treatment.

Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis

Tai chi is as effective as a standard course of physical therapy in the treatment of pain of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Stroke Risk From Use of Cannabis, Tobacco, and Alcohol

No associations between cannabis use in young adulthood and strokes later in life were found in multivariable models. An almost doubled risk of ischemic stroke was observed in those with cannabis use > 50 times; this risk was attenuated when adjusted for tobacco usage. Smoking ≥ 20 cigarettes per day was clearly associated both with strokes before 45 years of age and with strokes throughout the follow-up.

Intravenous Nutrient Therapies — Worth the Cost?

Intravenous nutrient therapies are gaining in popularity to help patients maintain overall wellness, enhance weight loss, boost immune function, increase athletic performance, cure hangovers, and treat particular conditions. However, the increase in the use of these therapies in both healthy individuals and those with health conditions has not translated into increased published research studies investigating efficacy and safety.

High-dose Biotin Shows Promise for Arresting Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Disability

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients with primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis were randomized to receive 100 mg of pharmaceutical-grade biotin or placebo thrice daily for 12 months. The primary endpoint of an improvement in the Expanded Disability Status Scale or a decrease in timed 25-foot walk time was achieved in 12.6% of the biotin-treated patients compared to no one in the placebo group (P = 0.005).

Do Facebook Friends Count — for Health and Longevity?

An observational examination of California Facebook users suggested this population has a lower mortality rate than non-Facebook users; the lowest mortality risk is for Facebook users who combine a moderate degree of online social interaction with high offline social activity.

Mind-Body Intervention for Neurofibromatosis

Participants in a randomized, controlled trial of a videoconferencing mindfulness intervention for neurofibromatosis experienced improvement in measures of physical and psychological quality of life when compared to placebo.

Free Probiotics for Winter Infections and Reducing Antibiotic Prescriptions

A randomized, controlled trial of recommendations that asthmatics (5 years of age and older) take free daily probiotics over a winter season failed to show any benefits in terms of antibiotic usage or overall respiratory health.