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Articles on CAM

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Although there’s evidence yoga may be helpful for some medical conditions, it can no longer be claimed under private health insurance. From shutterstock.com

Going to the naturopath or a yoga class? Your private health won’t cover it

From this week, private health insurers are unable to provide rebates for 16 natural therapies. But these changes may have unintended consequences.
An international study has dismissed the effectiveness of a homeopathic flu remedy but it is still being advertised in South Africa as a viable solution. shutterstock

Why an ineffective flu remedy is still being advertised in South Africa

Internationally, the effects of a homeopathic flu remedy has been dismissed – but, in South Africa, it is still being advertised as effective.
The most concerning finding was leopard DNA. Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

What’s in your herbal medicines?

Making sure that a tablet claiming to have 500 mg of paracetamol really does contain 500 mg of paracetamol is relatively easy. But how do you test for herbs?
Direct links between universities and industry funders pose significant risks – but can they be managed? Shannon Kringen/Flickr

Viewpoints: should universities accept funding from industry?

The University of Sydney’s announcement of a role funded by the Blackmores Institute raises perennial questions about whether industry-funded research can be truly independent.
Complementary medicines such as krill oil don’t always have the science to back up their claims. Jo Christian Oterhals/Flickr

Krill oil marketing: a case study of Australia’s broken regulations

Two out of three Australians regularly use complementary medicines, which constitute a A$3.5 billion domestic market. But the industry’s marketing strategies are a source of ongoing controversy and pose…
Menopausal women have been driven towards the false promises of bioidentical hormone therapy. Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock

‘Natural’ hormone therapy no panacea for menopause symptoms

Natural or bioidentical hormones are plant-derived products closely resembling the oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone produced in the body. The hormones are made up (compounded) in pharmacies to…
Researchers working with alternative medicines have an obligation to report negative or null findings. hit thatswitch/Flickr

Industry has a role in funding alternative medicine research

TESTING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES - La Trobe University’s decision to accept funding from Swisse for a new centre to research alternative medicines has sparked controversy. There’s been a fair bit of debate…
Herbal mixtures are comprised of many potentially active chemical compounds at relatively low concentrations. storyvillegirl/Flickr

Quality research of herbal medicines is possible

TESTING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES - La Trobe University’s decision to accept funding from Swisse for a new centre to research alternative medicines has sparked controversy. This series looks at how the evidence…
In their “natural” form herbal medicines are so variable from batch to batch and across brands that gathering reliable evidence of effectiveness is unlikely ever to be possible. Mickey_Liaw/Flickr

Why we can’t have reliable evidence for herbal therapies

TESTING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES - La Trobe University’s decision to accept funding from Swisse for a new centre to research alternative medicines has sparked controversy. This series looks at how the evidence…
What really works to alleviate hot flushes and other symptoms of menopause? splityarn/Flickr

Trick or treat? Alternative therapies for menopause

During menopause, estrogen levels drop, leading to a number of unpleasant symptoms. The transition to menopause can significantly affect women’s quality of life, with many willing to try anything to alleviate…
Most people don’t think of herbal medicines as drugs so they don’t tell their doctor about taking them. Ryan Somma/Flickr

Herbal medicines – toxic side effects and drug interactions

TESTING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES - La Trobe University’s decision to accept funding from Swisse for a new centre to research alternative medicines has sparked controversy. This series looks at how the evidence…
Acupuncture is one of a suite of alternative therapies almost two-thirds of Australians use every year. KayVee.INC/Flickr

Here’s why we should research alternative therapies

TESTING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES - La Trobe University’s decision to accept funding from Swisse for a new centre to research alternative medicines has sparked controversy. This series looks at how the evidence…
It seems anyone can call themselves a doctor these days. Bart/Flickr

Trust me, I’m a doctor… of sorts

Qualifications and their associated titles allow for quick identification of appropriately trained or recognised experts within a given field. They bestow legitimacy on the information provided to people…
There’s a conflict between the need for pharmacists to maintain a profitable business and their ethical obligations to the community. Andrew Dubber

Pharmacists should drop products that aren’t backed by evidence

If you look at the shelves of most Australian community pharmacies or browse the pages of local internet pharmacies, you’ll see numerous examples of products making claims that can’t be supported by scientific…
How can you tell what products might be of use and which ones will only lighten your wallet? Image from shutterstock.com

CAM or sham? Let’s get the facts straight on vitamins and supplements

Australia’s complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) industry is worth about A$4 billion annually. Around two thirds of Australians use CAM – which includes therapies such as chiropractic and naturopathy…
Muscle testing is used to gauge everything from general health status and specific supplement dosage. University of the Fraser Valley

Muscle testing (kinesiology): panacea or placebo?

Muscle testing, or kinesiology, has grown in popularity over the last 30 years. It’s a simple, non-invasive assessment tool used by many different kinds of health practitioners during examination or evaluation…
Up to one in three Australians take vitamin supplements, but few healthy people need them. Brian Gaid

Monday’s medical myth: take a vitamin a day for better health

Forget an apple a day, vitamin manufacturers would have you believe it’s important to take daily vitamins to boost your health. And a surprising proportion of Australians do. Data from the last National…

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