And some recommend it as a vampire prophylactic
Article Abstract:
A report is presented from the First World Congress on the Health Significance of Garlic, held in Washington, DC. The medicinal use of garlic has been detailed in more than 1,000 research studies, and it has been touted as helpful in treating elevated blood lipid (fat) levels, viruses, and even cancer. One speaker at the meeting maintained that the supposed cardiovascular benefits of the bulb were unsubstantiated, and that each of the 18 controlled studies contained methodological flaws. Garlic releases allicin when it is crushed or cooked, a substance that reacts with oxygen and produces more than 70 compounds. These are the putative ''healing'' substances. Summaries of garlic's possible beneficial effects on blood clotting, heart attack in cardiac patients, and stomach cancer are presented. The National Cancer Institute is conducting a study of the effect of allium vegetables (of which garlic is one) in the diet of 3,000 people on risk of stomach cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Acceptance of some acupuncture applications
Article Abstract:
A National Institutes of Health panel has concluded that there is clear evidence of acupuncture's effectiveness for control of some nausea and vomiting, and for relief of pain after dental treatment. Acupuncture, based on Chinese energy medicine, uses small needles placed in the skin to treat illnesses. The panel calls for more research on ways that acupuncture might elicit physiologic changes in pain perception, hormone activity and bloodflow. Acupuncture has few side effects. National standards of credentialing and some insurance coverage would increase patient confidence and access.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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Nature's agents help heal humans - some now take steps to reciprocate
Article Abstract:
Scientists learned about research on drugs found in natural sources at a May, 1998 conference in New York. A chemical produced by the skin of the Ecuadoran frog is an analgesic, or painkiller, that is 30 to 70 times more powerful than morphine and has few side effects. Other researchers are focusing on peptides from the venom of the cone snail, which could also be used as analgesics. Many of the peptides block only one type of nerve cell receptor and would therefore have few side effects. Research on viper venom has isolated proteins that can prevent blood clotting.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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