Suggested Readings with Summaries

Here are five suggested readings, aiming to help you, the consumer to make an informed decision. Below each link is a short summary delivering the gist of each article.


Dietary Supplements


"The sheer number and type of supplements available is overwhelming, and it’s hard to know which offer health benefits and which are merely giving false promises". However it is still up to the consumer to decipher what supplements are, and if one or more will help or hurt them. Vitamin and mineral supplements help the body perform certain functions, while herbal supplements have a medicinal purpose. Dietary supplements may not be risk-free under certain circumstances. some supplements are known to be dangerous when used along with some prescription drugs, always consult your doctor.


Finding a Doctor Who Understands Complementary and Alternative Medicine


If you are considering using CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) it is very important to find a knowledgeable doctor that does not blatantly endorse or refuse to use CAM. Doing so before needing care is best. Finding a Doctor that fits your needs is becoming easier and easier. The traditional way of selecting Doctors was asking friends, relatives, neighbors, but now there is sites like American Medical Association Free Physician Select Service that include specific information on Doctors. When making the Final decision, try to interview several Doctors.


Acupuncture-Like Treatments Improve Outcomes Compared to Usual Care for Low Back Pain


"People suffering from chronic low back pain who received acupuncture or simulated acupuncture treatments fared better than those receiving only conventional care according to a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine." This trial was funded by was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health. 638 patients with chronic lower back pain were divided into four groups, Individualized Acupuncture, Standardized Acupuncture, Simulated Acupuncture, and Usual (traditional) care. All Acupuncture groups seen similar results which questions the mechanisms of acupuncture, other than piercing the skin. Acupuncture Improved patients conditions.


Why Choose Certified Products?


The Dietary supplement industry continues to grow each year as consumers look for products that will help them live better lives. With the fast pace that new products are entering the marketplace and numerous reports claiming that supplements do not contain the ingredients listed, NSF certification allows consumers to know which products are true to their claims, by testing for ingredients not on the labels and cor the correct quantities of ingredients present. NSF is a truly independent program, not-for-profit, and fully accredited. When shopping, be sure to look for the NSF mark. A list of NSF Certified Supplements is available online.


Dietary Supplement Alerts and Safety Information


This is a FDA site that has a list of ingredients and herbs that may cause adverse affects. This is really helpful to the self-caring type, who need to know the potential risks of certain ingredients before they make a decision of which products to purchase when considering using an element on CAM.