Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001364
Zinc administered within 24 hours of the symptoms of a common cold is associated with favourable outcomes but with some side-effects.
Apr
27
Zinc for the common cold
by Michael Tam
Apr
06
Deaths after chiropractic upper cervical spine manipulation
by Michael Tam
Ernst E. Deaths after chiropractic: a review of published cases. Int J Clin Pract, July 2010; 64(8): 1162-5
Chiropractic, specifically, high-velocity, short-lever thrusts of the upper spine with rotation is associated with numerous deaths.
Mar
11
Cranberry juice fails for urinary tract infections
by Angie Pinto
Barbosa-Cesnik C, et al. Cranberry juice fails to prevent recurrent urinary tract infection: results from a randomised placebo-controlled trial. CID. 2011;52(1):23-30
Cranberry juice is not associated with a lower incidence of UTI recurrence than placebo juice in young, sexually active college women.
Mar
02
DHA on maternal depression and neurodevelopment
by May Su
Makrides M, et al. Effect of DHA supplementation during pregnancy on maternal depression and neurodevelopment of young children: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2010; 304(15): 1675-1683
DHA supplements in the later half of pregnancy are not associated with improvements in maternal depression or infant neurodevelopment.
Feb
28
B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids on vascular disease
by Michael Tam
Galan P, et al. Effects of B vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids on cardiovascular diseases: a RCT. BMJ 2010; 341:c6273
B-vitamin and low dose omega-3 fatty acid supplements are not associated with better vascular outcomes in people with ischaemic heart disease and stroke.
Feb
18
Omega-3 fatty acids for prevention of atrial fibrillation
Kowey PR, et al. Efficacy and safety of prescription omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention of recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation. JAMA 2010; 304(21): 2363-72
High dose omega-3 fatty acids were not associated with a benefit in prevention of recurrent symptomatic AF.
Jan
28
Glucosamine and/or chondroitin for osteoarthritis
by Michael Tam
Wandel S, et al. Effects of glucosamine, chondroitin, or placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee: network meta-analysis. BMJ 2010;341:c4675
Glucosamine, chondroitin and their combination do not improve pain or reduce joint space loss in osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.
Jan
14
Placebos for irritable bowel syndrome
by Michael Tam
Kaptchuk TJ, et al. Placebos without deception: a randomized controlled trial in irritable bowel syndrome. PLoS ONE 2010; 5(12): e15591
The positive results widely reported for placebo pills in consenting patients with irritable bowel syndrome are likely invalid due to serious methodological limitations in the study.