New research shows that American ginseng (Panax quinquefolis) 1000 mg twice daily significantly reduces cancer-related fatigue after 8-weeks of treatment; however, shorter duration of treatment does not seem to help.
Get more details, including evidence-based safety and effectiveness ratings, in our complete monograph.
CE Program: Drug-Supplement Interactions
Natural Medicines new CE/CME program, Drug-Supplement Interactions, is now available. People are increasingly using complementary and alternative medicines. This new Clinical Management Series CE/CME course is intended for clinicians who care for patients who use natural medicines along with conventional medications. Courses are accredited for pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered dietitians.
A new study presented at Digestive and Disease Week (DDW) in Washington DC shows that of the 22 top-selling probiotic products on the market, 12 of them contain gluten. This raises concerns for people who have celiac disease, as they often take probiotics to improve their digestive health. While most of the tested products only contained trace amounts of gluten, it's not clear if trace amounts can worsen celiac disease symptoms. Four of the tested products contained more than trace amounts.
Taking muscle-building supplements that contain creatine or androstenedione might increase the risk of testicular cancer in men.
In a recent study, researchers found that men who used muscle-building supplements at least once in their life had a 65% increased risk of developing testicular cancer. The link was even stronger for men who started taking these supplements at an early age, had used them for a long period of time, or had tried different types of muscle-building supplements.
BMPEA Use in Supplements is Illegal
Five companies received warning letters from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about their use of a chemical similar to amphetamine called beta-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA) in a total of eight products. BMPEA is not a legal dietary ingredient, and any products that contain BMPEA are not legal dietary supplements. The warning letters were issued after several products listing Acacia rigidula as an ingredient were found to contain BMPEA.
Death Linked to Diet Pills Containing DNP Initiates Global Warning
A healthy 21-year-old woman from the United Kingdom recently died after taking diet pills she purchased online that contained 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), a chemical that makes the metabolism and body temperature rapidly increase. DNP is a well-known substance that has been promoted for body building and weight loss. It is also used as a pesticide and in some explosives. Following the serious illness of another man in France, the French interior ministry requested an Interpol orange notice be sent to 190 countries. The message warns of the dangers associated with DNP and the imminent threat it poses to consumers worldwide. You can use Natural MedWatch to report any side effects from dietary supplements.
Isatis Might Help People with Psoriasis
New research suggests that applying a specific product containing isatis oil extract (Lindioil) to the fingernails and the skin beneath the edge of the nail twice daily for 24 weeks improves psoriasis by 50% to 80%.
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