For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking the top complementary and alternative medicines and therapies for children. The CDC collects data on complementary and alternative medicine usage through the Adult and Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine questionnaire in the National Health Interview Survey. The most recent survey results are from 2007 and include questions answered by adults on behalf of children aged 0 to 17. The results show that children whose parents practiced complementary and alternative medicine were nearly twice as likely to use complementary and alternative medicines as other children.

The top 5 complementary and alternative medicines and therapies among American children in 2007 are:

1. Dietary supplements (3.9% of children): These include a range of herbs, botanicals, vitamins, and minerals such as fish oil, glucosamine, and Echinacea


2. Chiropractic treatment (2.8%): Chiropractors attempt to modify the spine and joints to help relieve pain and improve well-being. Common indications are back pain, headaches, and other injuries.


3. Deep breathing exercises (2.2%): These exercises involve slow and deep inhalation and exhalation. Deep breathing is believed to relieve stress and provide relaxation.


4. Yoga (2.1%): Many types of yoga involve controlled breathing, stretching, and meditation to achieve balance physically, mentally, and spiritually.


5. Homeopathic treatment (1.3%): homeopathy recommends that people treat symptoms using a diluted form of a substance that causes those same symptoms. Homeopathic medicines may include natural materials like plants and minerals.

Related blog post: The Top 6 Complementary and Alternative Medicines and Therapies among Adults

_{Source: CDC, National Health Statistics Reports, No. 12, based on data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the CDC. http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2008/nhsr12.pdf}

_{Photo: Autumm, FLickr, Creative Commons}

Complementary and alternative medicine and therapies have existed for centuries and continue to be practiced today. Treatments include a range of health practices and products from dietary supplements to acupuncture. Some people use these medicines and therapies to treat specific diseases and health conditions, and others use them for holistic or spiritual reasons. Although studies have shown that some complementary and alternative medicine and therapies are effective for certain indications, the effectiveness of most of these therapies has not yet been shown scientifically.

The top 6 complementary and alternative medicines and therapies among American adults in 2007 are:

1. Dietary supplements (17.7% of people): These include a range of herbs, botanicals, vitamins, and minerals such as fish oil, glucosamine, and Echinacea.


2. Deep breathing exercises (12.7%): These exercises involve slow and deep inhalation and exhalation. Deep breathing is believed to relieve stress and provide relaxation.


3. Meditation (9.4%): This ancient discipline has its origins in Eastern spiritual teachings. People are taught to focus their minds to achieve a heightened sense of awareness, tranquility, and balance.


4. Chiropractic treatment (8.6%): Chiropractors attempt to modify the spine and joints to help relieve pain and improve well-being. Common indications are for the back, headaches, and other injuries.


5. Massage (8.3%): Massage therapists knead muscles and tendons to improve function of connective tissues and to promote calmness and pain relief.


6. Yoga (6.1%: Many types of yoga involve controlled breathing, stretching, and meditation to achieve balance physically, mentally, and spiritually.

For additional information, join the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Support Group on Healia Communities


_{Source: CDC, National Health Statistics Reports, No. 12, based on data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the CDC; http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2008/nhsr12.pdf}

_{Photo: judepics, Flickr, Creative Commons}

A large study examining the effects of the medicinal herb Ginkgo biloba concludes that it does not prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The findings, presented in the Journal of the American Medical Association, cast serious doubt on the future of ginkgo as a preventative measure for dementia, a disorder that affects more than 5 million people in the United States.

The eight year long Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study involved over 3,000 patients age 75 and older, some of whom had a condition that can be an early harbinger of dementia called mild cognitive impairment. The results showed that among both healthy and mildly impaired participants, taking two 120 milligram doses of ginkgo a day had no effect on the development of dementia in general or Alzheimer’s disease specifically, which is the suspected cause of the vast majority of dementia cases.

Extract from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which suggested that it might help protect the brain from the processes that lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Earlier lab tests also demonstrated that ginkgo can protect brain cells from the same problems that occur in Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this, the study appears to demonstrate conclusively that ginkgo is not helpful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease in older adults.

While the study did not find any positive effects of ginkgo, there did not appear to be any significant negative effects either. Taking the supplement did not affect the rate of coronary artery disease, stroke, or mortality. The study did not examine this possibility that ginkgo could have an effect on the development of dementia if people started taking it earlier, such as in middle age. There may also still be role for ginkgo in treating, rather than preventing, dementia.

Earlier research on ginkgo and memory has provided mixed results. Still, annual sales of the supplement in the U.S. reached an estimated $107 million in 2007.

If you take Ginkgo biloba, it is a good idea to do so under the supervision of a medical professional. People on the blood thinner warfarin shouldn't take ginkgo because of the risk of increased bleeding. Previous studies have also suggests an association between ginkgo and increased risk of “mini strokes” known as TIAs.

For more information, see the Healia Health Guide on Alzheimer’s Disease or visit the Healia Health Communities for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.  You can also get answers to your questions about ginkgo at the Healia Health Communities for Dietary Supplements or the Healia Health Community for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

 

 ^{Photo (adapted): colros, Flickr, Creative Commons}

Vitamin E and the mineral selenium do not prevent prostate cancer, according to a large study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) was halted early after a preliminary analysis of the data showed that these supplements, taken alone or together, did not reduce prostate cancer risk among more than 35,000 men age 50 and older who were studied.

Of more concern, the study suggested that the two supplements may carry an increased risk to men’s health: men who were taking only vitamin E showed a small increase in the number of prostate cancer cases, and those taking only selenium had a slight increase in the incidence of diabetes. However, these findings are still preliminary and they were not statistically significant, meaning that they could have been caused by chance.

Study participants are being notified by a letter that they should stop taking the supplements but will continue to have their health monitored for about three more years.

The findings are a major disappointment after previous studies suggested that Vitamin E might lower prostate cancer risk by more than 30 percent and selenium by over 50 percent. A drug called finasteride that is currently used to treat an enlarged prostate and male pattern baldness was recently shown to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer by 25 percent, but is not currently approved by the FDA as a preventative agent.

The doses involved in the study were higher than what is found in a typical multivitamin: 400mg/day vitamin E (the recommended daily intake is 15mg) and 200mcg/day selenium (U.S. RDI is 50-75mcg).

If you are currently taking daily vitamin E or selenium supplements, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of continuing their use. Or ask the health experts on Healia Health Communities.

 

_{Photo: Twenty Questions, Flickr, Creative Commons}

 

Although massage has many health benefits, massage therapy may be potentially hazardous for people with certain health conditions. For the average, healthy individual, massage can help increase blood flow to the muscles, increase healing, and speed healing time. Massage is good for relaxing the entire body, which lowers blood pressure, lowers heart rate, and decreases stress. There are more than 80 types of massage therapy dating back thousands of years.

However, for some people who have high blood pressure, cancer, or other health conditions, massage therapy may be dangerous.

People with high blood pressure who are not on medication should consult with their physician before getting a massage. A massage will increase blood flow. In a person with high blood pressure, that could cause serious problems.

People with cancer should also be cautious when it comes to getting a massage. The lymphatic system is a key vehicle for the spread of cancer. Massage that stimulates the lymphatic system could be detrimental. Cancer patients should also avoid direct pressure on the tumor area or areas that have become inflamed due to radiation.

In addition to the above conditions, if you have one or more of the following health issues, consult your health care provider before getting a massage:

 

• Damaged blood vessels
• Burns or open wounds on the area to be massaged
• A bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs
• Recent heart attack or heart problems
• Rheumatoid arthritis in the area to be massaged
• Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs)
• Weakened bones from osteoporosis or a recent fracture
• Fever
• Pregnancy
• Fragile skin, as from diabetes or a healing scar
• Damage to bones or muscles that could be manipulated out of place, like a slipped disc
• Rashes, such as eczema, poison ivy, or other skin allergy

For more information about massage, be sure to visit Healia Communities and connect with members of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Community. Or Ask an Expert about massage therapy.

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Did you know that it is currently International Massage Week (also known as EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week)?

Massage. It's a great thing. Want to study up on its health benefits? Curious about tips on giving one to your stressed-out significant other? Try a Healia search on massage and learn all about it.

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