Did you ever wonder if there’s actual evidence to back yoga as a stress reliever? Or, perhaps you’ve considered adding a dietary supplement to your daily health regimen, but you aren’t sure where to turn for unbiased information.
In the world of alternative health care, the best kept secret by far for evidence-based information is the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health. Formerly the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, this governmental agency’s website — found at nccih.nih.gov — provides a tremendous amount of information on everything from amino acids to zinc.
One of the best ways to use the site is to click on “Health Topics A-Z,” found on the home page, and then simply browse the massive list until you find something of interest to you.
Say you have diabetes, for example, and have started experiencing some nerve pain. A friend tells you to take the vitamin biotin, saying it worked for her father who has diabetes. You’re skeptical, but a quick search on NCCIH’s site tells you there is some evidence that biotin can help reduce nerve pain in people with diabetes. However, you also find that the vitamin may interfere with a medication you’re taking. You make the well-informed decision to discuss it with your doctor before buying a bottle of biotin.
Speaking of diabetes, the website offers a considerable amount of information on the use of natural remedies with various chronic diseases, and the evidence — or lack of evidence — for each. On this site, you’ll find that fenugreek, a seed used in cooking, has been shown by a few small studies to possibly be helpful in lowering blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Conversely, you will see there’s little to no evidence that chromium is helpful at managing diabetes, despite some popular supplement claims.
There is evidence to show that alternative health remedies, when used appropriately, can be as effective as traditional remedies and may save you money. For example, the use of mindfulness meditation has been shown to help manage symptoms of ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Research published in June in the journal PLoS One concluded that a lack of knowledge about alternative health practices was one of the major reasons people do not turn to complementary therapies. The study focused mainly on lower back pain. A quick search on the NCCIH website for information on this condition leads to several cost-effective, non-invasive approaches that are evidence-based, such as spinal manipulation and massage.
Perhaps the best thing about the site is how consumer-friendly it is. Most topics have a subheading of articles “For Consumers,” written in plain language and providing clear tips. Some of the streaming articles this month are “What Does Science Say About Yoga?” as well as “Using Dietary Supplements Wisely.”
While research on herbal remedies tends to be minimal, you can use the “Herbs at a Glance” tool to learn what the science says about individual herbs and botanicals, as well as possible side effects. The Herbs at a Glance series can even be downloaded as an eBook, so you have it at your fingertips when you browse the health food aisles.
Of course, a website can never offer medical advice or take the place of your doctor. So use it as intended — to help make yourself into a more educated, well-rounded patient!
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Is Your Dietary Supplement Evidence-Based? originally appeared on usnews.com
