January – Two reviews of clinical trials concluded that black cohosh and other herbs are ineffective in managing the symptoms of menopause.  Palacio and coworkers (Drugs Aging 26, 23-36 (2009) Abstract) reviewed 16 studies of black cohosh, and found that “many of the studies had conflicting results” and included methodological flaws.  The authors concluded that “The benefits of black cohosh in the management of climacteric symptoms remain to be proven.”  A paper in Drug and Therapeutic Bulletin (47, 2-6 (2009) Abstract) reviewed trials of black cohosh and several other herbs.  According to a Story in MedPage Today, the authors found “equivocal” results for black cohosh, and warned of the potential for liver toxicity.  Five trials of red clover found no benefits.  Evidence for dong quai was equivocal, while there appeared little or no benefit for evening primrose oil, ginseng, wild yam, chaste tree, hops, and sage leaf.

January – Dr. Robert Sears has written a book recommending that parents space out vaccinations according to “Dr. Bob’s Alternative Vaccine Schedule,” in contrast to the schedule recommended by pediatricians.  A paper by Offit and Moser (Pediatrics 123, e164-e169 (2009) Paper) examined Sears’ recommendations.  The authors conclude that “Sears’ misrepresentation of vaccine science misinforms parents trying to make the right decisions for their children.”

January 7 – Two papers published in JAMA found that supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium were not helpful in prevention of prostate cancer and other types of cancer News story.  The first study, by Lippman and others (JAMA 301, 39-51 (2009) Paper) (Press Release), examined the records of more than 35,000 men after they were given supplements of selenium, vitamin E, both, or placebo, and followed for an average of 5 years; no effects were seen.  The second, by Gaziano et al. (JAMA 301, 52-62 (2009) Paper), followed more than 14,000 physicians who took vitamin C, vitamin E, or a placebo.  After an average of 8 years of follow-up, “neither vitamin E nor C supplementation reduced the risk of prostate or total cancer.”  An Editorial by P. Gann (pp. 102-103) discusses the two studies.

January 7 – Another study, this one in women over 60 years old, also showed that supplements do not prevent cancer.  Lin and coworkers gave more than 7600 women vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, placebo, or various combinations of vitamins, and followed them for an average of 9.4 years (J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 101, 14-23 (2009) Paper) News story.  Supplements provided no benefit.  An Editorial by D. Albanes (pp. 2-4) points out that while the study adds to the body of evidence showing no prevention of cancer by vitamin supplements, two points deserve further consideration.  First, the data suggest that vitamin E may have some benefit in preventing colorectal cancer.  Second, vitamin C supplementation appeared to be associated with increased risk of lung cancer.

January 21 and 27 –Two reviews added to the growing body of evidence that nearly all benefits of acupuncture are due to the placebo effect.   A review by Linde and others (Cochrane Database Syst. Rev., CD001218 (2009) Abstract) examined studies of acupuncture for migraine.  Although the authors concluded that “migraine patients benefit from acupuncture,” they also found that “There is no evidence for an effect of 'true' acupuncture over sham interventions.”  Madsen and others (BMJ 338, a3115 (2009) Paper  Editorial) looked at trials of acupuncture for pain.  They concluded that “A small analgesic effect of acupuncture was found, which seems to lack clinical relevance and cannot be clearly distinguished from bias.  Whether needling at acupuncture points, or at any site, reduces pain independently of the psychological impact of the treatment ritual is unclear.”

January 28 – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) “has charged the marketers of Kinoki Foot Pads with deceptive advertising, including claims that the foot pads would remove toxins from the body; treat high blood pressure, depression, and a host of other medical conditions; and lead to weight loss”  Press Release.  The idea that heavy metals and various “toxins” can be drawn out of the body through the skin in this manner is scientifically unsupported.  Products like this may contain chemicals that turn color when exposed to sweat, leading the consumer to believe that harmful materials have been removed (see an Investigative report).

February – Huang and others reviewed studies of whether acupuncture is useful for treating insomnia (Sleep Med. Rev. 13, 73-104 (2009) Abstract).  Although many studies appeared to show that acupuncture was beneficial, the authors found that most of them were of poor quality.  Because nearly all positive effects of acupuncture appear to be due to the placebo effect, it is important that adequate blinding and controls be included in any study.  However, most of the studies did not include sham controls, and those that did failed to test whether the blinding was successful.

February – More evidence has been reported showing that the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal in vaccines does not cause autism (Tozzi et al., Pediatrics 123, 475-482 (2009) Abstract) News story.  The researchers studied a group of 1400 children who had been given vaccines 10 years earlier, with some getting more than twice as much thimerosal as the others.  There was no difference in their performance on a variety of tests of brain function.

February – A study has found evidence supporting the use of chondroitin sulfate supplements for individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee (Kahan et al., Arthritis & Rheumatism 60, 524-533 (2009) Paper) News story.  622 patients were given either chondroitin sulfate or placebo for two years.  Chondroitin appeared to reduce pain and reduce the deterioration of the knees.  However, there are problems with the biological plausibility of chondroitin supplements.  Chondroitin sulfate is an extremely large molecule, made within cells, and it is difficult to see how supplies from supplements could reach the cellular locations where they would be useful.

February – Shen and Nahas published a review entitled “Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome” (Can. Fam. Physician 55, 143-148 (2009) Paper).  They concluded that “Soluble fibre improves constipation and global IBS symptoms. Peppermint oil alleviates IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain.  Probiotic trials show overall benefit for IBS but there is little evidence supporting the use of any specific strain.  Hypnotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy are also effective therapeutic options for appropriate patients.  Certain herbal formulas are supported by limited evidence, but safety is a potential concern.”

February – A review examined traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of asthma and food allergy (Li and  Brown, J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 123, 297-306 (2009) Paper).  The authors concluded that “Evidence from clinical studies supports beneficial effects of TCM herbal therapy on asthma.”  However, there is little clinical evidence concerning whether it is helpful for food allergy.

February 3 – The Air Force is training doctors in the use of acupuncture for treating pain in wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan News story.  However, as noted above (Jan. 27 story), there is little scientific support for the use of acupuncture in treating pain.

February 9 – A large study found that multivitamin supplements did not reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, or overall mortality in postmenopausal women (Neuhouser et al., Arch. Intern. Med. 169, 294-304 (2009) Abstract) News story.  The study included more than 160,000 women, who were followed for an average of 8 years.

February 12 – A special federal court ruled against parents who claimed that vaccines caused their children’s autism News story.  The Special Masters of the court were persuaded by the evidence from numerous scientific studies showing that vaccines are not responsible for autism.

February 13 – An Article by M. Crislip in the Science-Based Medicine Blog examines live blood analysis, also known as live cell analysis.  In this technique, a sample of blood is examined under a microscope.   By identifying supposed abnormalities, a practitioner may diagnose diseases or nutritional deficiencies, and recommend the purchase of dietary supplements or other treatments.  Crislip provides links to examples of claimed pathologies shown by live blood analysis, and shows why the claims are nonsense.  He concludes that the method “is the cargo cult of quackery, with the trappings of science but none of the substance.”  See also an earlier critique.

February 23 – Homocysteine has been suggested to be a risk factor for heart disease.  Previously, supplements of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 have been tested for their effects in preventing heart disease, but no benefits were found.  A new study (Christen et al., Arch. Intern. Med. 169, 335-341 (2009) Abstract) studied the effects of the vitamins on the incidence of age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in older individuals News story.  The research examined more than 5000 women over 40 years old and at risk for heart disease, following them for an average of 7 years.  Compared to those taking placebo, women taking the supplements had a 34% lower incidence of age-related macular degeneration.

February 26 – A study of several weight-loss diets concluded that the composition (fat, protein, and carbohydrate) of the diets was not important in determining the amount of weight loss (Sacks et al., New Engl. J. Med. 360, 859-873 (2009) Paper).  The researchers studied more than 800 overweight subjects, placing each on one of four diets with different amounts of the three types of nutrients, and following them for two years.  Weight loss was similar for all types of diet.  The researchers concluded that a reduction in calories is what is important, not what type of food is eaten.  In a News story on the findings, nutrition researcher C. Gardner was quoted as saying, “We don’t have any right to push low-fat or low-carb or high-protein.  If one of these approaches is more satiating, where you will not be hungry and have cravings, that is the one that will work for you.”

February 26 – The Texas Attorney General has reached an agreement concerning enforcement actions against Mannatech, a multi-level marketing seller of dietary supplements based on alleged “glyconutrients” Press release.  According to the state, “Mannatech…exaggerated claims about the therapeutic benefits of its dietary supplements and nutritional products…Marketing materials falsely claimed that Mannatech’s dietary supplements could cure and treat Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, cancer and other serious illnesses.”  The company has “agreed not to advertise or otherwise claim that its dietary supplements can cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent disease,” and will monitor the actions of its sales associates.  (See the first item in our September-October 2008 News for a critique of Mannatech’s claims.)

February 26 – The Kentucky Attorney General joined with 26 other states and the District of Columbia in announcing a settlement concerning Enviga, a green tea beverage Press release.  It had been claimed that the tea would “burn calories,” resulting in weight loss.  However, there is no good evidence for the claim.  The manufacturers agreed to stop making the claims.