Manufacturers of dietary supplements aren’t required to provide warnings to consumers about their potential risks. Here’s what to look out for.
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
Vitamin supplements and protein powders at best don’t work and, at worst, can cause harm. So why do 75% of Australians take them?
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.
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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?
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Paul Komesaroff, Monash University e Ken Harvey, Monash University
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
Ken Harvey, Monash University; Aaron Kovacs, Monash University e Grace Jackel, Monash University
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 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.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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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, 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
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…