Narrow Results

A variety of common complementary and alternative medicine therapies are now being examined for effectiveness in the management of osteoporosis. Short-term studies in postmenopausal women show beneficial effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on bone density, but its long-term effects require clarification. Prospective controlled trials have shown that physical training can increase bone density to varying degrees. Other therapies that have been examined include herbal formulae, essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and K, but few data regarding their effectiveness, mechanisms and safety have been published. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.

Osteoporosis is a common disease with wide prevalence, especially in the elderly population. Osteoporosis induced fractures not only decrease the patient's life quality, but also cause heavy financial burden to the society. Although current medications for osteoporosis are effective, numerous adverse effects have been observed accompanying their clinical applications. Effective prevention and therapy strategies with high safety are critical, which benefit both individual patients and the whole society. Traditional Chinese medicines have been used for thousands of years to treat bone related diseases in China and a number of modern preparations have been developed that are currently commercially available. In addition, several medicinal herbs demonstrated therapeutic effects against osteoporosis in animal models. This paper reviewed the anti-osteoporotic effects of traditional Chinese formulas, medicinal herbs and bioactive constituents based on clinical trials and in vivo animal studies. Due to the lack of rigorous studies to compare the effectiveness with conventional interventions, traditional formulas are recommended as alternative medications or supplements to treat osteoporosis at the current stage. Although there are abundant natural resources with anti-osteoporotic effects, either in the form of medicinal herbs or bioactive components, much work need to be accomplished before they are developed into potential drugs.

Is soy consumption linked to breast cancer?

Preventative mastectomy on the rise.

Cancer survivors may benefit from lifestyle interventions which can mitigate their increased risk of other health problems after a diagnosis of cancer, including heart disease, diabetes and functional impairment.

There is emerging evidence that weight management and physical activity will positively impact on key outcomes measures for cancer survivors; including quality of life, cancer recurrence and survival rates. Although dietary supplement use is very common among cancer survivors, there are very few studies documenting the effect nutritional supplements have on cancer recurrence and survival.

Overall, lifestyle interventions have the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors, in particular for women with breast cancer. Key recommendations for cancer survivors include:

• maintaining a healthy body weight;

• being physically active;

• eating more vegetables and fruit; and

• limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption.

These recommendations are consistent with evidence-based advice on reducing the risk of cancer and with national dietary recommendations to promote general health and need to be considered in the context of a cancer survivor's individual health and social circumstances. Further research is required to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of specific lifestyle interventions designed for breast cancer survivors, as well as for survivors of other forms of cancer.