In this study, the neuroprotective effects of dietary antioxidants were investigated (1). The authors prospectively assessed the relationships of dietary antioxidant vitamins C and E, ß-carotene, and total antioxidant capacity with Parkinson's Disease risk in two population-based cohorts (38,937 women and 45,837 men). The results showed that dietary intake of ß-carotene was associated with a lower risk of PD. An inverse association between dietary vitamin E and PD risk was found in women. Dietary intake of vitamin C was inversely associated with PD risk in women at borderline significance. The authors conclude that intake of dietary vitamin E and ß-carotene was associated with a lower risk of PD.

In this randomized controlled trial, curcumin supplementation was used to treat beta-thalassemia (1). This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 61 β-thalassemia major patients. Subjects in the curcumin group received two 500 mg curcumin capsules daily and patients in the placebo group took 2 placebo capsules daily for 12 weeks. The results showed that serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total and direct bilirubin significantly decreased and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased in the curcumin group. The authors conclude that supplementation in combination with deferoxamin improved the antioxidant status in β-thalassemia major patients. Curcumin may be useful for the relief of metabolic complications in these patients.

The authors of this study examined cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort and alternative medicine (1). Data on endometriosis, PMS, irregular periods, heavy periods, and period pain were collected over 7 years. The results showed prevalence rates of PMS and heavy periods increased, while prevalence rates of endometriosis, irregular periods, and severe period pain remained stable. The most common use of CAM longitudinally associated with the perimenstrual symptoms was use of vitamins/minerals, yoga/meditation, massage therapy, herbal medicine, and aromatherapy. The authors conclude that only the prevalence of PMS and heavy periods increased with aging in this sample of women. While overall use of CAM practitioner and self-prescribed products/therapies increased over time, CAM was chosen by women mainly to treat endometriosis and PMS.

This study was a part of a group randomized controlled trial in which 7th grade students were assigned to a yoga intervention or physical-education-as-usual ^[1]. Sixteen students were randomly selected from the yoga condition to participate in one-on-one interviews. Students reported both positive and negative opinions of yoga, especially when making direct comparisons between yoga and physical education. Students had particularly positive opinions regarding the beneficial effects of yoga on stress, sleep, and relaxation. Student opinions regarding the effects of yoga on self-regulation, social interaction, substance use, and academic performance were also generally positive, although somewhat mixed. The authors conclude that the results suggest that qualitative research shows promise for providing an in-depth perspective on the impact of mind-body interventions in schools.

This study was conducted to evaluate use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Australian children ^[1]. Questions addressed demographic factors, socio-economic status, conventional health service use, including vaccination status and use of CAM. The results showed that almost 74% of parents had taken their child to a visit to a CAM practitioner. The two most frequently visited CAM practitioners were naturopath/herbalist (30.4%) and chiropractor (18.4%). The most commonly used products were vitamins/minerals (61.7%), and herbal medicine (38.8%). Children had also consulted with a general practitioner (89.8%), community health nurse (31.29%) and paediatrician (30.3%) over the same period. A total of 52% of parents did not disclose their child's use of CAM to their medical provider. The authors conclude that despite a lack of high quality research for efficacy and safety, many children are using CAM products and practices in parallel with conventional health services, often without disclosure.

In this study, the authors examined data from experiments on vitamin D ^[1]. Data from in-vitro experiments suggest vitamin D reduces the rate of skin aging whereas population studies suggest the opposite, most likely due to confounding by UV-exposure. The authors investigated whether there are causal associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and features of skin aging in a bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study. Facial skin aging features (perceived age, wrinkling, pigmented spots) were assessed either manually or digitally. Associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and skin aging features were tested.The authors observed that higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with a higher perceived age, more skin wrinkling, but not with more pigmented spots. In contrast, genetically determined 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was not associated with any skin aging. They conclude that the study did not indicate that associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and features of skin aging are causal.

Topical therapy can be useful in patients with mild psoriasis ^[1]. In this review, the authors discuss various topical options. Emollients are useful adjuncts to the treatment of psoriasis. Use of older topical agents such as anthralin and coal tar has declined over the years. However, they are cheaper and can still be used for the treatment of difficult psoriasis refractory to conventional treatment. Salicylic acid can be used in combination with other topical therapies such as topical corticosteroids (TCS) and calcineurin inhibitors for the treatment of thick limited plaques to increase the absorption of the latter into the psoriatic plaques. Vitamin D analogs alone in combination with TCS are useful in stable plaques over limbs and palmoplantar psoriasis. The review discusses the therapies in greater details.

In this study, a pre-exercise drink was investigated ^[1]. In a double-blind, randomized and crossover manner, 25 resistance-trained participants ingested a placebo (PLA) beverage containing 12 g of dextrose and a beverage (RTD) containing caffeine (200 mg), β-alanine (2.1 g), arginine nitrate (1.3 g), niacin (65 mg), folic acid (325 mcg), and Vitamin B12 (45 mcg) for 7-days, separated by a 7-10-day. Participants performed various exercises and questionnaires and were monitored. The results showed that ingestion increased leg press repetition to fatigue, bench press, and total lifting volume. Therefore the authors conclude the pre-workout beverage may help with exercise performance and recovery.

In this study, the polyphenols of various botanical therapies were analyzed for the treatment of rosacea (1). As a systematic review, many databases were searched and analyzed. The results showed that 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies evaluated licochalcone, silymarin, Crystanthellum indicum extract, and quassia extract. The studies evaluated topical formations of polyphenols. The authors concluded that there is evidence polyphenols may be beneficial for the treatment of rosacea symptoms. Polyphenols appear to be most effective at reducing facial erythema and papule and pustule counts. Studies did have significant limitations.

In this study, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of cervical vertigo (1). This was a meta-analysis, so multiple randomized controlled trials were searched in comprehensive databases and analyzed. 10 studies were included with 914 participants. Results showed that acupuncture was more effective than conventional medicine therapy in effectiveness, improvement rate of vertigo and headache, and increased average blood flow velocity of vertebral-basilar artery. The authors conclude that acupuncture is a promising therapeutic approach for cervical vertigo based on low quality evidence.

In this study, the efficacy and safety of the nutritional supplement NAC as an adjuvant to SSRIs for treating kids and teenagers with OCD was examined (1). It was a 10 week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The patients received citalopram plus NAC or placebo. The YBOCS scale (a validated scale) was used to measure outcomes. The results showed that the score changed at the end of the trial. The group with NAC saw improvements. No serious adverse effects were found. The authors conclude that NAC adds to the effect of citalopram in improving resistance and control compulsions in OCD children and adolescents and that it is well-tolerated.

In this meta-analysis, the authors analyzed the association between vitamin D levels and lung carcinoma risk and outcomes (1). Two authors searched various databases using appropriate search terms. High vitamin D intake and levels correlated inversely with lung cancer risk and also reduced lung cancer mortality. High vitamin D helped with survival. The authors conclude that this meta-analysis showed that high vitamin D (or calcium) intake and serum 25(OH)D levels correlate with lower lung cancer risk and better prognosis. UVB and latitude may play a vital role in lung cancer occurrence and progression.

This study was conducted to evaluate different doses of Vitamin D on the metabolic profiles of those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (1). It was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled in 90 patients. Patients received 4000IU or 1000IU per day for 12 weeks. Results showed the higher dose led to reduced fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin, triglycerides, other cholesterol measures. The authors conclude that overall, vitamin D supplementation at a dosage of 4 000 IU/day for 12 weeks in insulin-resistant patients with PCOS had beneficial effects of glucose metabolism and lipid profiles compared with 1 000 IU/day of vitaminD and placebo groups.

In this study, the authors discuss the possible protective role of niacinamide, a derivative of niacin, against skin cancer recurrence.[1] They prospectively evaluated whether total, dietary, and supplemental niacin intake was associated with skin cancer risk based on 72,308 women in the Nurses' Health Study (1984–2010) and 41,808 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986–2010). The results of their analysis were that higher total niacin intake was also marginally positively associated with melanoma risk in men, but not in women. The results were similar in stratified analyses according to sun exposure–related factors and by body location of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

In this study, the authors evaluated acupuncture as monotherapy as an alternative therapy in treating depression-related insomnia.[1] Seven databases were searched. 18 trials were included in the analysis. The findings determined that the acupuncture treatment made significant improvements in sleep quality score (PSQI score) compared with Western Medicine. Acupuncture combined with Western medicine had a better effect on improving sleep quality compared with the treatment of Western medicine alone. The authors conclude that acupuncture could be an alternative therapy to medication for treating depression-related insomnia.