Recent Longevity News for the seven days ending 7/6/11.  You should consult your doctor if you are taking any medications.

'Gifted' natural vitamin E tocotrienol protects brain against stroke in 3 ways - Science Daily, 7/5/11 - "This is one of the first studies to provide evidence that a safe nutrient - a vitamin - can alter microRNA biology to produce a favorable disease outcome ... Here, a natural nutritional product is simultaneously acting on multiple targets to help prevent stroke-induced brain damage. That is a gifted molecule" - See Jarrow FamilE (contains all eight members of the vitamin E family, includes Tocomin) at iHerb.

Preventive use of one form of natural vitamin E may reduce stroke damage - Science Daily, 7/5/11 - "Vitamin E occurs naturally in eight different forms, and this work led by Ohio State University scientists is focused on the tocotrienol form, also known as TCT. The commonly known form of vitamin E belongs to a variety called tocopherols. TCT is not abundant in the American diet but is available as a nutritional supplement. It is a common component of a typical Southeast Asian diet ... In the study, 24 hours after a stroke, lesions indicating brain tissue damage were about 80 percent smaller in dogs that received supplementation than were the lesions in dogs that received no intervention. Imaging tests showed that the treated animals' brains had better blood flow at the stroke site as compared to untreated dogs' brains, a difference attributed to tiny collateral blood vessels' ability to improve circulation in the brain when blood flow stopped in more substantial vessels ... In the study, 20 dogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: those receiving a placebo pill, and those receiving 200 milligrams of mixed tocotrienols ... Additional examination of the affected brain tissue showed that the TCT supplementation appeared to support arteriogenesis, a process by which collateral arteries remodel themselves into larger vessels so they can bypass the site of blockage" - See Jarrow FamilE (contains all eight members of the vitamin E family, includes Tocomin) at iHerb.

Gum disease can increase the time it takes to become pregnant - Science Daily, 7/5/11 - "women with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant -- two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive ... Prof Hart said that the reason why pregnancies in non-Caucasian women were more affected by gum disease could be because these women appeared to have a higher level of inflammatory response to the condition"

High folate intake may reduce risk of colorectal cancer - Science Daily, 7/5/11 - "We found that all forms and sources of folate were associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer ... A research team investigated the association between folate intake and colorectal cancer among 99,523 participants in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort; a total of 1,023 participants were diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1999 and 2007 ... The study also addressed concerns that the intake of high levels of folate frequently consumed in the U.S. -- as a result of the recent increase in the use of folate-containing supplements and mandatory folate fortification of food -- may actually increase risk of cancer. No increased risk of colorectal cancer was found for the highest intake levels, suggesting that the high levels of this vitamin consumed by significant numbers of Americans should not lead to increased incidence rates of this cancer in the population" - See folic acid products at iHerb.

Earlier the better for omega-3 benefits for brains & hearts? - Nutra USA, 7/4/11 - "the older animals did benefit from fish oil supplementation, but the benefits were limited to diastolic function, or the filling of the heart with blood following contraction (systolic) ... The younger animals had better spatial memory than the older animals, and the fish oil supplements were not associated with any reversal of the age-related memory deficits or increases in inflammation in the brain, wrote the researchers" - [Abstract] - See Mega Twin EPA at iHerb and Jarrow Max DHA at iHerb.

New class of antiangiogenesis drugs: Natural plant compound blocks blood vessel growth by interfering with cellular adhesion - Science Daily, 7/1/11 - "One of two compounds identified by this process was dehydro-alpha-lapachone (DAL), derived from Tabebuia avellanedae, a tree native to Argentina and Brazil. Since DAL has structural similarities to another agent with antitumor activities and did not appear to be toxic, it was chosen for further investigation. The researchers first showed that DAL administration interfered with blood vessel formation in zebrafish, both during embryonic development and wound healing. They then found that it reduced the vascular density of tumors implanted in mice and, with daily treatment, significantly reduced tumor growth with no signs of toxicity"

Copper reduces infection risk by more than 40 per cent, experts say - Science Daily, 7/1/11 - "Copper's rapid destruction of pathogens could prevent mutational resistance developing and also help reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance genes to receptive and potentially more virulent organisms, as well as genes responsible for virulence. Additionally, copper touch surfaces could have a key role in preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infections. Extensive laboratory tests have demonstrated copper's antimicrobial efficacy against key organisms responsible for these infections, and clinical trials around the world are now reporting on its efficacy in busy, real-world environments ... the use of antimicrobial copper surfaces in intensive care unit rooms resulted in a 40.4% reduction in the risk of acquiring a hospital infection ... Data .. demonstrated a 97% reduction in surface pathogens in rooms with copper surfaces, the same level achieved by "terminal" cleaning: the regimen conducted after each patient vacates a room"

Sport performance follows a physiological law; Study suggests peak at 20-30 years of age, then irreversible decline - Science Daily, 7/1/11 - "The evolution of the performances of an individual throughout his life follows an exponential growth curve to a peak before declining irreversibly, following another negative exponential curve. This peak is reached at the age of 26.1 years for the disciplines studied: athletics (26.0 years), swimming (21.0 years) and chess (31.4 years). For each data set, the evolution curve is representative of a range of 91.7% of the variance at the individual level and 98.5% of the variance in terms of sport events. Moreover, these cycles are observable in other physiological parameters such as the development of lung function or cognitive skills, but also at the level of cells, organisms and populations, reflecting the fractal properties of such a law" - I'm sure everyone wanted to hear that.

Pre-pregnancy diet affects the health of future offspring, mouse study suggests - Science Daily, 7/1/11 - "mice that were fed a low protein diet for ten weeks before conception (but had a normal diet during pregnancy) gave birth to offspring that had lower birth weights, showed catch-up growth after weaning and increased insulin sensitivity ... There is also evidence that male offspring are more likely to develop obesity ... If humans respond in the same way as mice to pre-conception diet as well then women should not only consider what they eat during pregnancy but also before pregnancy if they want to reduce the risk of their future children acquiring lifestyle diseases"

Red wine: Exercise in a bottle? - Science Daily, 6/30/11 - "a new research study published in the FASEB Journal, suggests that the "healthy" ingredient in red wine, resveratrol, may prevent the negative effects that spaceflight and sedentary lifestyles have on people ... Scientists studied rats that underwent simulated weightlessness by hindlimb tail suspension and were given a daily oral load of resveratrol. The control group showed a decrease in soleus muscle mass and strength, the development of insulin resistance, and a loss of bone mineral density and resistance to breakage. The group receiving resveratrol showed none of these complications ... This study also suggests that resveratrol may be able to prevent the deleterious consequences of sedentary behaviors in humans" - See Resveratrol products at iHerb.

Ingredients of happiness around the world - Science Daily, 6/29/11 - "Our findings suggest that Maslow's theory is largely correct. In cultures all over the world the fulfillment of his proposed needs correlates with happiness ... However, an important departure from Maslow's theory is that we found that a person can report having good social relationships and self-actualization even if their basic needs and safety needs are not completely fulfilled"

The Body Odd - Coffee buzz protects brain from Alzheimer's - MSNBC, 6/29/11 - "the equivalent of four to five cups of caffeinated coffee every few days led to much improved memories in the Alzheimer’s mice ... Earlier research by Arendash and his colleagues showed that caffeine could at least partially block the production of beta amyloid, the sticky protein that clogs the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. They also found that a substance called granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, or GCSF, sparked the production of new axons, the communication cables that link nerve cells together, as well as new nerve cells themselves"

Vitamin D, calcium combo may halve melanoma risk some women - USATODAY.com, 6/29/11 - "The supplements were 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily ... Over about seven years of follow-up, the women taking the supplements who had had previous non-melanoma skin cancer reduced their risk of developing melanoma by 57 percent, compared with similar women not taking the supplements" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.

Nearly Half of U.S. Teens Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs - WebMD, 6/29/11 - "Nearly half of all American high school students smoke, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs"

Vitamin E tocotrienols show cholesterol benefits for healthy adults: Study - Nutra USA, 6/29/11 - "Daily supplements of a palm oil-based tocotrienol-rich product increased the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol – reported to be the most specific lipid risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) – by 14 percent in people over 50, compared to a decrease of about 5 percent in the placebo group ... HDL cholesterol increases of the magnitude observed in this study have been associated with a 22.5 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular events" - [Abstract] - See Jarrow FamilE (contains all eight members of the vitamin E family, includes Tocomin) at iHerb.

Abstracts from this week's Doctor's Guide Nutrition/Dietetics plus abstracts from my RSS feeds (Click here for the journals, the PubMed ones at the top):

Effect of Cholesterol on Mortality and Quality of Life up to a 46-Year Follow-Up - Am J Cardiol. 2011 Jun 27 - "A strong and graded relation was found between the cholesterol level and total mortality, with the men with a cholesterol level ≤4 mmol/L (154 mg/dl) having the lowest mortality. In all, the men with the lowest cholesterol gained the most life years. However, no association was found with the cholesterol level in 2000 (when 16% were using statins) and subsequent mortality. The lowest (≤4 mmol/L) cholesterol value in midlife also predicted a higher score in the physical functioning scale of RAND-36 in old age. In conclusion, a low total cholesterol value in midlife predicts both better survival and better physical functioning in old age"

Telmisartan for the management of patients at high cardiovascular risk - Curr Med Res Opin. 2011 Jun 30 - "To date, telmisartan is the only ARB indicated to reduce CV morbidity in a broad CV high-risk population" - See telmisartan at OffshoreRx.com.

Glycated Hemoglobin A1c, Fasting Plasma Glucose, and Two-Hour Postchallenge Plasma Glucose Levels in Relation to Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Chinese with Normal Glucose Tolerance - J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jun 29 - "carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) ... participants in the highest quartile of HbA1c, as compared with those in the lowest quartile, still conferred a 68% increased odds of elevated CIMT (≥0.70 mm)"

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Northern Manhattan Study - Stroke. 2011 Jun 30 - "After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and renal function, serum phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus product were associated with a greater burden of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with increased intima-media thickness and maximal carotid plaque thickness in those with plaque, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D contributed in a robust manner to the variance in both. These results confirm and extend data on the association of low vitamin D levels with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.

Natural Vitamin E {alpha}-Tocotrienol Protects Against Ischemic Stroke by Induction of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 1 - Stroke. 2011 Jun 30 - "α-Tocotrienol (TCT) represents the most potent neuroprotective form of natural vitamin E that is Generally Recognized As Safe certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ... This work recognizes MRP1 as a protective factor against stroke. Furthermore, findings of this study add a new dimension to the current understanding of the molecular bases of α-TCT neuroprotection in 2 ways: by identifying MRP1 as a α-TCT-sensitive target and by unveiling the general prospect that oral α-TCT may regulate miR expression in stroke-affected brain tissue" - See Jarrow FamilE (contains all eight members of the vitamin E family, includes Tocomin) at iHerb.

Association Between Insulin Resistance and Lean Mass Loss and Fat Mass Gain in Older Men without Diabetes Mellitus - J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011 Jun 30 - "Greater lean mass loss and lower fat mass gain occurred in insulin-resistant men without diabetes mellitus than in insulin-sensitive men. Insulin resistance may accelerate age-related sarcopenia"

Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials - Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jun 29 - "We performed a comprehensive literature search to identify relevant trials of green tea beverages and extracts on lipid profiles in adults ... The analysis of eligible studies showed that the administration of green tea beverages or extracts resulted in significant reductions in serum TC and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, but no effect on HDL cholesterol was observed" - See Jarrow Green Tea extract at iHerb.

Resveratrol Induces p53-Independent, XIAP-Mediated Bax Oligomerization on Mitochondria to Initiate Cytochrome c Release and Caspase Activation - J Biol Chem. 2011 Jun 28 - "Together, our findings characterize the molecular mechanisms of resveratrol-induced caspase activation, and subsequent apoptosis in cancer cells"

Resveratrol promotes osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells by up-regulating RUNX2 gene expression via SIRT1/FOXO3A axis - J Bone Miner Res. 2011 Jun 28 - "Taken together, our results describe a novel mechanism of resveratrol on promoting osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells by up-regulating RUNX2 gene expression via SIRT1/FOXO3A axis"

Protective Effect of Pycnogenol® on Ovariectomy-induced Bone Loss in Rats - Phytother Res. 2011 Jun 28 - "The results indicated that orally administered PYC can decrease the bone turnover rate in OVX rats, resulting in positive effects on the biomechanical strength of bone and bone mineral density" - See Pine Bark/Pycnogenol products at iHerb.

Low serum magnesium concentrations predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality - Atherosclerosis. 2011 Jun 12 - "Low serum magnesium (Mg(++)) levels are associated with future development of left ventricular hypertrophy independently of common cardiovascular risk factors, as recently demonstrated in the five-year follow-up of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). As left ventricular hypertrophy has significant prognostic implications, we hypothesized that serum Mg(++) levels are associated with cardiovascular mortality ... median duration of mortality follow-up was 10.1 years ... During the follow-up, 417 deaths occurred. Mortality in subjects with Mg(++)≤0.73mmol/l was significantly higher for all-cause deaths (10.95 death per 1000 person years), and cardiovascular deaths (3.44 deaths per 1000 person years) in comparison to higher Mg(++) concentrations (1.45 deaths from all-cause per 1000 person years, 1.53 deaths from cardiovascular cause per 1000 person years). This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including arterial hypertension, and antihypertensive therapy including diuretics (log-rank-test p=0.0001 for all-cause mortality, and p=0.0174 for cardiovascular mortality)" - See Jarrow Formulas, Magnesium Optimizer Citrate, 100 Easy-Solv Tablets at iHerb.

Restriction of Advanced Glycation End Products Improves Insulin Resistance in Human Type 2 Diabetes: Potential role of AGER1 and SIRT1 - Diabetes Care. 2011 Jul;34(7):1610-6 - "AGE restriction may preserve native defenses and insulin sensitivity by maintaining lower basal OS"

• AGE Content of Foods - InHuman Experiment, 9/1/09

Overexpression of hepatic 5α-reductase and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in visceral adipose tissue is associated with hyperinsulinemia in morbidly obese patients - Metabolism. 2011 Jun 23 - "11-β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) converts cortisone to cortisol, mainly in the liver and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and has been implicated in several metabolic disorders. The absence of systemic hypercortisolism in central obesity could be due to increased inactivation of cortisol to its tetrahydrometabolites by the hepatic enzymes 5α- and 5β-reductases ... Forty-one patients were recruited (age, 41.8 ± 10.6 years; body mass index, 42.1 ± 6.6 kg/m(2); 71% women). The expression of hepatic 5α- and 5β-reductases was positively correlated (r = +0.53, P = .004), and their expression levels were correlated with hepatic 11β-HSD1 expression (r = +0.61, P < .001 for 5α-reductase and r = +0.50, P < .001 for 5β-reductase). Hepatic 5α-reductase was associated with insulin (r = +0.34, P = .015). Visceral adipose tissue 11β-HSD1 expression was associated with glucose (r = +0.37, P = .025) and insulin (r = +0.54, P = .002). Our results showed that 5α-reductase and VAT 11β-HSD1 expressions were associated with insulinemia. These findings suggest that overexpression of 5α-reductase, through a higher inactivation of cortisol in the liver, could have a protective role in preserving hepatic sensitivity to insulin. The overexpression of liver reductases in obesity could be an adaptive response to an increase in cortisol production by the liver and visceral 11β-HSD1 to avoid systemic hypercortisolism"

High serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with low incidence of stress fractures - J Bone Miner Res. 2011 Jun 22 - "There was approximately half the risk of stress fracture in the top compared to bottom quintile of serum 25(OH)D concentration (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.34-0.76, p < 0.01). The range of serum 25(OH)D in the lowest quintile was 1.5-19.7 (Mean 13.9) ng/ml, while in the highest it was 39.9-112 (Mean 49.7) ng/ml" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.

Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: Double blind, randomized clinical trial of safety and effectiveness - J Bone Miner Res. 2011 Jun 27 - "Vitamin D supplementation of 4,000 IU/day for pregnant women was safe and most effective in achieving sufficiency in all women and their neonates regardless of race while the current estimated average requirement was comparatively ineffective at achieving adequate circulating 25(OH)D, especially in African Americans" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.

Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin (OH)D and clinical fracture risk in a multiethnic Cohort of women: The Women's health initiative (WHI) - J Bone Miner Res. 2011 Jun 27 - "In multivariable models, higher 25(OH)D levels as compared with levels <20ng/mL were associated with a lower risk of fracture in White women: (20- < 30 ng/mL), OR = 0.82; (0.59, 1.16) and (>30.0 ng/mL), OR = 0.55; (0.34, 0.89), p trend = 0.02. In contrast, higher 25(OH)D (>20 ng/mL) as compared with levels <20ng/mL were associated with a higher risk of fracture in Black women, OR = 1.45; (1.06, 1.98), p trend = 0.043. Higher 25(OH)D (>30.0 ng/mL) was associated with higher fracture risk in Asian women after adjusting for DBP, OR = 2.78; (0.99, 7.88), (p trend = 0.04). There was no association between 25(OH)D and fracture in Hispanic or American Indian women. Our results suggest divergent associations between 25(OH)D and fracture by race/ethnicity. The optimal level of 25(OH)D for skeletal health may differ in White and Black women"

Vitamin A Decreases Pre-receptor Amplification of Glucocorticoids in Obesity: Study on the Effect of Vitamin A on 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Activity in Liver and Visceral Fat of WNIN/Ob Obese Rats - Nutr J. 2011 Jun 23;10(1):70 - "11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) catalyzes the conversion of inactive glucocorticoids to active glucocorticoids and its inhibition ameliorates obesity and metabolic syndrome. So far, no studies have reported the effect of dietary vitamin A on 11beta-HSD1 activity in visceral fat and liver under normal and obese conditions. Here, we studied the effect of chronic feeding of vitamin A-enriched diet (129mg/kg diet) on 11beta-HSD1 activity in liver and visceral fat of WNIN/Ob lean and obese rats ... Control groups received stock diet containing 2.6mg vitamin A/kg diet, where as experimental groups received diet containing 129mg vitamin A/Kg diet for 20 weeks ... Vitamin A supplementation significantly decreased body weight, visceral fat mass and 11beta-HSD1 activity in visceral fat of WNIN/Ob obese rats. Hepatic 11beta-HSD1 activity and gene expression were significantly reduced by vitamin A supplementation in both the phenotypes. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha(C/EBPalpha), the main transcription factor essential for the expression of 11beta-HSD1, decreased in liver by vitamin A fed-obese rats, but not in lean rats. Liver X receptor alpha (LXR alpha), a nuclear transcription factor which is known to downregulate 11beta-HSD1 gene expression was significantly increased by vitamin A supplementation in both the phenotypes" - Note:  See my 11beta-HSD1 page.  11beta-HSD1 goes hand in hand with cortisol.

Oleate-enriched diet improves insulin sensitivity and restores muscle protein synthesis in old rats - Clin Nutr. 2011 Jun 21 - "Twenty-four 25-month-old rats were fed either a control diet (OC), an oleate-enriched diet (HFO) or a palmitate-enriched diet (HFP) for 16 weeks. MPS using labeled amino acids and mTOR activation were assessed after AA and insulin anabolic stimulation to mimic postprandial state ... IR and systemic and adipose tissue inflammation (TNFα and IL1β) were improved in the HFO group. Muscle genes controlling mitochondrial β-oxidation (PPARs, MCAD and CPT-1b) were up-regulated in the HFO group. AA and insulin-stimulated MPS in the HFO group only, and this stimulation was related to activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway ... The age-related MPS response to anabolic signals was improved in rats fed an oleate-enriched diet. This effect was related to activation of muscle oxidative pathways, lower IR, and a decrease in inflammation"

• Oleate - dictionary.com - "a salt or ester of oleic acid" - Note:  Oleic acid is omega-9 like in olive oil.
• Palmitate definition - medterms.com - "An antioxidant and a vitamin A compound that is added to low-fat and fat-free milk to replace the vitamin content lost through the removal of milk fat. Palmitate (more formally known as retinyl palmitate) contains palmitic acid, a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid, which is the major fatty acid found in palm oil. The palmitic acid is attached to the alcohol form of vitamin A, called retinol, to make vitamin A stable in milk. The name "palmitate" comes from the French "palmitique" from palmite, the pith of the palm tree"

Male circumcision and penile cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Cancer Causes Control. 2011 Jun 22 - "Men circumcised in childhood/adolescence are at substantially reduced risk of invasive penile cancer"

Neat Tech Stuff / "How To's":

• Tattoo Footswitch Floor Pedal - Neat switch.  I rigged one to flush my toilet if you have one that has an electric switch.  Click here for the video.  There a lot of things it can be used for.  Need a foot switch for the garage door for when you are carrying groceries?  For the Kohler Power Lite toilets it's the black and blue wires for #1 or the black and white wires for #2.

Health Focus (Chronic Pain):

Related Topics:

• NSAIDS / migraines / arthritis / neuropathic pain / COX-2 inhibitors / Neurontin / Lamictal / substance P / acupuncture / magnetic therapy / chiropractic / fibromyalgia

Popular Supplements:

• Vitamin D / enzymes / Wobenzym / D,L-phenylalanine / tumeric / chondroitin / SAM-e / willow bark / cayenne / devil's claw / MSM

Alternative News:

• Acai juice shows joint health potential: Monavie study - Nutra USA, 4/13/11 - "At the end of the study, results showed a decline in pain measures, as well as improvements in the range of motion in the spine and other extremities" - [Abstract] - See acai berry products at iHerb.
• Alexander Technique: A Balm For Back Pain? - NPR, 3/28/11 - "The people who had 24 lessons had gone down from about 21 days of pain that the usual care group reported to about 3 days in pain ... A summary of the results of a major back pain study published in the British Medical Journal in 2008. The study showed that the Alexander Technique was highly effective in treating back pain" - [Abstract1] [Abstract2] [Abstract3] [YouTube video]
• Antinociceptive Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid against Various Pain Stimuli in Mice - Biol Pharm Bull. 2010;33(6):1070-2 - "DHA administration dose-dependently exerted an antinociceptive effect against thermal and chemical stimulation in comparison to the control olive oil administration ... These findings suggest that DHA has opiod receptor-mediated pain control activities, and may provide valuable information towards an advanced therapeutic approach for pain control" - See Jarrow Max DHA at iHerb.
• Spirulina extract may reverse pain sensitivity - Nutra USA, 6/2/09 - "Both doses of C-phycocyanin were found to “significantly attenuate carrageenan-induced” inflammation ... Markers of inflammation, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygeanase-2 (COX-2), and the formation of nitrate, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandin E2, were also measured ... induction of both iNOS and COX-2 was suppressed by the compound, and this was accompanied by an inhibition of the nitrate, PGE, and TNF-alpha formation" - [Abstract] - See spirulina products at iHerb.
• Antiinflammatory and antihyperalgesic activity of C-phycocyanin - Anesth Analg. 2009 Apr;108(4):1303-10 - "Pre- or posttreatment with C-PC (30 or 50 mg/kg, IP) significantly attenuated carrageenan-induced inflammatory nociception and the induction of iNOS and COX-2 at the late phase, (4 h) accompanied by an inhibition of the formation of TNF-alpha, prostaglandin E(2), nitrate and myeloperoxidase activity ... Based on these results, it is suggested that the inhibition of NO and prostaglandin E(2) over-production through suppressing iNOS and COX-2 induction and attenuation of TNF-alpha formation and neutrophil infiltration into inflammatory sites by C-PC may contribute, at least in part, to its antihyperalgesic activity" - See spirulina products at iHerb.
• Comfrey Root Eases Back Pain - WebMD, 5/21/09 - "The placebo users saw their pain intensity drop 38% during the study period, while comfrey root ointment users had a 95% reduction in pain. Back pain at rest was reduced 97% in the comfrey root group and 40% in the placebo group. The comfrey root ointment seemed to take effect in less than an hour" - See comfrey root products at iHerb.
• Coffee consumption and mortality after acute myocardial infarction: The Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program - Am Heart J. 2009 Mar;157(3):495-501 - "Self-reported coffee consumption at the time of hospitalization for myocardial infarction was inversely associated with subsequent postinfarction mortality in this population with broad coffee intake"
• Inadequate Vitamin D Levels Linked To High Use Of Narcotic Medication By Patients In Chronic Pain - Science Daily, 3/20/09 - "Mayo Clinic research shows a correlation between inadequate vitamin D levels and the amount of narcotic medication taken by patients who have chronic pain ... Physicians who care for patients with chronic, diffuse pain that seems musculoskeletal — and involves many areas of tenderness to palpation — should strongly consider checking a vitamin D level ... many patients who have been labeled with fibromyalgia are, in fact, suffering from symptomatic vitamin D inadequacy" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.
• Only Exercise Effective In Preventing Low-back Problems, Review Suggests - Science Daily, 3/1/09 - "Strong and consistent evidence finds many popular prevention methods to fail while exercise has a significant impact, both in terms of preventing symptoms and reducing back pain-related work loss"
• Study: Cymbalta May Cut Chronic Low Back Pain - WebMD, 8/26/08
• Pain 'linked with low vitamin D' - BBC News, 8/11/08 - "Low levels of the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, may contribute to chronic pain among women ... If I had chronic pain I would certainly check I was getting enough vitamin D" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.
• Associations Between Vitamin D Status and Pain in Older Adults: The Invecchiare in Chianti Study - J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008 Mar 5 - "Lower concentrations of 25(OH)D are associated with significant back pain in older women but not men. Because vitamin D deficiency and chronic pain are fairly prevalent in older adults, these findings suggest it may be worthwhile to query older adults about their pain and screen older women with significant back pain for vitamin D deficiency" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.
• Vitamin D deficiency linked to greater pain - Nutra USA, 10/15/07 - "Of these patients, 26 per cent had vitamin D inadequacy and needed almost twice the dose of morphine of the group with adequate vitamin D levels" - See vitamin D products at iHerb.
• More Than A Pill: Complementary Medicine Can Help With Chronic Pain - Science Daily, 10/9/07
• 5 fixes to help you stand up to back pain - CNN, 4/17/07
• Herbal Medicine May Be Effective for Low Back Pain - Medscape, 1/16/07 - "Short-term treatments with certain herbal medicines (including Devil's claw and willow bark) are effective for relief of acute low back pain" - See Devil's claw products and White willow bark products at iHerb.
• Antioxidants: New Kid On The Block For Pain Relief? - Science Daily, 11/8/06
• 3 Herbal Medicines May Ease Back Pain - WebMD, 4/18/06 - "A 60-milligram daily dose of devil's claw also appeared to cut back pain as much as a 12.5-milligram daily dose of Vioxx, a painkiller no longer on the market due to a rise in the risk of cardiovascular events -- such as heart attackheart attack and strokestroke -- in some patients"
• omega-3 Fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain - Surg Neurol. 2006 Apr;65(4):326-31 - "were asked to take a total of 1200 mg per day of omega-3 EFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid and decosahexaenoic acid) found in fish oil supplements ... Our results mirror other controlled studies that compared ibuprofen and omega-3 EFAs demonstrating equivalent effect in reducing arthritic pain. omega-3 EFA fish oil supplements appear to be a safer alternative to NSAIDs for treatment of nonsurgical neck or back pain in this selective group" - See Mega Twin EPA at iHerb or Vitacost.
• Herbal Therapies to Relieve Pain: Efficacy and Adverse Effects - Medscape, 1/13/06
• High-Dose Omega-3 Oils Used to Treat Non-Surgical Neck and Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 4/20/05 - "this could be the answer to the adverse effects seen with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors, which have been associated with potentially catastrophic adverse effects ... 88% percent said they were pleased enough with the outcomes that they planned to continue using the fish oils" - See Mega Twin EPA at iHerb or Vitacost.
• Glucosamine Ups Ibuprofen's Pain Relief - WebMD, 1/9/04 - "While the NSAID administered alone had pain-relieving effects, glucosamine administered alone produced no pain-relieving effect ... But when glucosamine was combined with an NSAID, pain relief was more pronounced" - See Drugstore.com ibuprofen products and iHerb or Vitacost glucosamine products.
• Lack of Vitamin D Linked to Pain - WebMD, 12/10/03
• People with Undetermined Muscle/Bone Pain May be Vitamin D Deficient - Doctor's Guide, 12/10/03 - "Research conducted at the University of Minnesota found that 93 percent of all subjects with non-specific musculoskeletal pain were vitamin D deficient"
• Vitamin D Effective Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain - New Hope Natural Media, 5/1/03 - "new study in Spine (2003;28:177–9) ... All participants with vitamin D deficiency reported improvement in their back pain after taking vitamin D, whereas 69% of those with normal vitamin D levels improved"
• B-Vitamins Prove Effective In Relieving Chronic Pain - Intelihealth, 4/10/03 - "B-vitamins, such as thiamin (B1), pyridoxine (B6), and cyanocobalamin (B12), have been proven to be clinically effective in treating various painful conditions such as lumbago, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis and optic neuritis as acting as an analgesia (pain reliever)"
• Magnet Therapy Effective for Chronic Pelvic Pain - New Hope Natural Media, 3/28/03 - "The authors point out that successful treatment depends on using magnets with proper intensity and polarity. In the studies that showed no benefit with magnets, the intensity of the magnets used was too weak to have any meaningful effect on the body"
• Soothing Sciatica? - Dr. Weil, 7/23/02
• Soy Fights Pain - WebMD, 3/15/02
• Willow Bark Cheap Alternative To Pain Killers For Low Back Pain - Intelihealth, 1/31/02 - "Noting that willow bark is roughly 40% less expensive than rofecoxib [Vioxx], the researchers conclude that willow bark and rofecoxib are equally safe and effective in the treatment of low back pain, but that willow bark extract "has the current advantage of being cheaper than rofecoxib.""
• Can Laughter Relieve Pain And Help Us Heal? Researchers Seek An Answer - Intelihealth, 9/5/01
• Enzymes Can Hasten Pain Relief - Nutrition Science News, 2/01 - "Enzymes work not by stopping or blocking inflammation, but by supporting and quickening the process . . . By the third day after the operation, levels of C-reactive protein—a measure of inflammation—were threefold higher in the control group"
• The Chemistry of Pain - Nutrition Science News, 2/01
• Natural COX-2 Inhibitors: The Future of Pain Relief - Nutrition Science News, 8/00
• Persistent Pain - Nutrition Science News, 10/99
• Chronic Joint Pain - Nutrition Science News, 1/99

Other News:

• Outpatient disc treatment gives long-term back pain relief - Science Daily, 12/2/09
• Effectively Managing Pain With Depression - Science Daily, 5/29/09
• Aching Back? Cholesterol Medication Might Help - Science Daily, 3/3/09 - "A new study finds that using statins may be useful in treatment for degenerative discA new study finds that using statins may be useful in treatment for degenerative disc ... Lovastatin increased the synthesis of collagen II, a protein that makes up moveable joints, and decreased the synthesis of collagen I, a protein that is related to fibrosis (the formation or development of excess fibrous connective tissue)" - Note:  Lovastatin is the one that red yeast rice is high in.
• Motor Control Exercises Reduce Persistent Low-back Pain, Study Shows - Science Daily, 1/28/09
• New Minimally Invasive Back Surgery Shows Promising Results, Physicians Report - Science Daily, 1/2/08
• Acute Back Pain: Spine Therapy No Help - WebMD, 11/7/07
• ACP And APS Issue Comprehensive Guidelines For Treating Low-back Pain - Science Daily, 10/1/07
• Low Back Pain: Many Options for Relief - WebMD, 10/1/07
• New Shoulder Pain Treatment Is Effective, Study Suggests - Science Daily, 9/24/07
• Two Fixes for Bad Backs - Time Magazine, 6/21/07
• The best new pain cures, with a focus on women - CNN, 6/21/07
• Back Surgery Better For Spinal Stenosis And Slipped Vertebra, According to Second SPORT Study - Science Daily, 5/30/07
• New Treatment Offers Relief From Chronic Back Pain - Science Daily, 5/18/07
• New Procedure Allows Diagnosis Of Lower Back Pain Cause - Science Daily, 5/4/07
• Morphine Makes Lasting -- And Surprising -- Change In The Brain - Science Daily, 4/24/07
• Alpharma Receives FDA Approval for Kadian(R) (Morphine Sulfate) 80mg Capsules - Doctor's Guide, 10/31/06
• FDA OKs New Cancer Pain Drug - WebMD, 9/27/06
• Cephalon Receives Approvable Letter for Fentora(TM) (fentanyl buccal tablet) for Management of Breakthrough Pain in Patients with Cancer - Doctor's Guide, 6/30/06
• Penwest Announces That Endo Reports Receiving Final FDA Approval for Oxymorphone ER - Pain Relief Product Expected to Be Commercially Available in the U.S. in the Coming Weeks Under Trade Name Opana(R) ER - Doctor's Guide, 6/23/06
• Synera, a New Topical Anesthetic Patch Developed by ZARS Pharma, is Launched - Doctor's Guide, 6/20/06
• ALZA Corporation Receives FDA Approval for Ionsys (Fentanyl Iontophoretic Transdermal System) - Doctor's Guide, 5/23/06
• Some Anti-Depressants Ease Pain as Well as Opioids, Review Shows - Doctor's Guide, 5/23/06
• Once Daily Ultram ER Extended-Release Tablets Now Available in the United States - Doctor's Guide, 2/21/06
• Comorbid Addiction and Chronic Pain - Clinical Psychiatry News, 10/05
• Biovail's Tramadol ER Receives FDA Approval - Doctor's Guide, 9/9/05
• New Research Suggests Oxycodone May be More Effective Than Morphine in Treatment of Visceral Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/25/05
• Surgery No Better Than Rehabilitation For Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/23/05
• FDA Issues Approval Letter For Tramadol ODT, for Moderate to Severe Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/6/05
• Pregabalin Cuts Pain in Tough-To-Treat Patients With Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia Syndrome - Doctor's Guide, 4/13/05
• FDA Approves New Pain Reliever - WebMD, 1/3/05
• FDA Approves New Drug for Severe Pain - WebMD, 12/29/04
• FDA Approves Prialt (Ziconotide Intrathecal Infusion) for Severe Chronic Pain - Doctor's Guide, 12/29/04
• FDA approves new drug for severe pain - MSNBC, 12/28/04
• Single-Shot Epidural DepoDur (Morphine Sulfate Extended-Release Liposome Injection) Now Available in US - Doctor's Guide, 12/6/04
• FDA Approves Combunox (Oxycodone HCl and Ibuprofen) Tablets for Short-Term Treatment Of Acute, Moderate to Severe Pain - Doctor's Guide, 11/29/04
• Chronic Back Pain May Shrink the Brain - WebMD, 11/22/04
• Low-Dose Oxymorphone Effective for Pain Relief - Doctor's Guide, 10/19/04
• Kadian (Morphine Sulfate) Pain Medication Safe, Effective for the Elderly - Doctor's Guide, 3/5/04
• Issues in Perioperative Pain Management - Physician's Weekly, 1/19/04
• Anti-Epileptic Drug Levetiracetam May Relieve Pain With Minimal Side Effects - Doctor's Guide, 12/30/03
• New Treatment Guide Provides Simplified, Diagnostic Approach To Acute Low Back Pain Treatment - Doctor's Guide, 10/22/03
• The Face of Untreated Pain - Physician's Weekly, 10/20/03
• Warding Off Ulcers Due to Painkillers - WebMD, 10/15/03
• FDA Approves Darvocet A500 (Propoxyphene Napsylate And Acetaminophen) For Mild To Moderate Pain - Doctor's Guide, 9/11/03
• Amitriptyline Supplementation Offers Added Benefit to Corticosteroid Injections in Patients with Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 9/10/03
• New Data Confirms Expanded Role for Fentanyl Transdermal System in Treatment of Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lower Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 9/4/03
• Available Treatment Options for Pain in Elderly Cancer Patients - Doctor's Guide, 9/3/03
• New Oxycodone/Acetaminophen Dosage Effective in Low Back Pain Treatment - Doctor's Guide, 8/14/03
• New Formulation Of Actiq (Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate) Approved By FDA - Doctor's Guide, 8/7/03
• Lidocaine 5% Patch Safe, Effective for Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 7/4/03
• Intradiscal Injection Has Potential In Treatment Of Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 7/4/03
• Conversion From Transdermal To Intravenous Fentanyl Safely, Effectively Treats Acute Cancer Pain - Doctor's Guide, 7/3/03
• MRI Shows People Feel Pain Differently - WebMD, 6/23/03
• Radiographs as Good as MRI for Most Patients With Low Back Pain - Medscape, 6/3/03
• Spinal Manipulation Better Than Sham Therapies for Low Back Pain - Medscape, 6/3/03
• Body Pain Linked to Higher Cancer Rates - WebMD, 6/2/03
• Aceclofenac More Tolerable, Similar Efficacy to Diclofenac for Acute Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 6/2/03
• Resistance Training Best for Neck Pain - WebMD, 5/20/03
• Tramadol/Acetaminophen Effective in Elderly Patients with Chronic Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/20/03
• Add Lidocaine Patch to Gabapentin for Pain Relief - Clinical Psychiatry News, 5/03
• Computed Tomography-Guided Interventional Procedures Promising In Treating Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/6/03
• New Antidepressants Target Aches and Pains, Too - Psychiatric News, 4/18/03
• Lower Dose Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) Relieves Acute Painful Muscle Spasm With Less Sedation Than Higher Dose - Doctor's Guide, 4/14/03
• Opioid Use Suggested for Pain Management - Doctor's Guide, 4/7/03
• New Electrical Therapy May Relieve Low Back Pain - Clinical Psychiatry News, 4/03
• Painkillers Work Best on Redheads - WebMD, 3/28/03
• Oral Opioid Treatment Curbs Chronic Neuropathic Pain - Doctor's Guide, 3/27/03
• Chronic Pain: Opioids Effective for Nerve Pain - WebMD, 3/26/03
• Gabapentin Plus Valacyclovir Effective for Management of Acute Zoster Pain - Medscape, 3/25/03
• Lower Back Pain: New Treatments Coming Soon - WebMD, 3/24/03
• Continuous Heat Effectively Reduces Lower Back Pain - WebMD, 3/21/03
• Keppra (Levetiracetam) Helps Alleviate Pain, Reduce Narcotic Use In Cancer Patients - Doctor's Guide, 3/20/03
• Keppra (Levetriacetam) Relieves Pain From Variety Of Pain Syndromes - Doctor's Guide, 3/20/03
• Widely Used Questionnaire Spots Depression in Chronic Pain Patients - Doctor's Guide, 2/25/03
• Lidocaine Patch Enhances Chronic Pain Therapy - Doctor's Guide, 2/25/03
• Extended Release Morphine Formulations Improve Sleep in Osteoarthritis - Doctor's Guide, 2/25/03
• Constipation Appears Common in Chronic Pain Patients on Controlled-Release Oxycodone - Doctor's Guide, 2/21/03
• Chronic Painful Physical Conditions [CPPCs] Strongly Associated With Major Depression - Doctor's Guide, 2/19/03 - "A diagnosis of major depressive disorder was made in 4% of participants, and 43.4% of those with major depression had at least one CPPC. The researchers point out this was four times the rate in people without major depressive disorder"
• Bupivacaine With Epinephrine Relieves Children's Post-Surgical Pain - Doctor's Guide, 2/14/03
• FDA Approves Lower Dose Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) For Treatment Of Muscle Spasm - Doctor's Guide, 2/4/03
• Depression And Chronic Pain Linked, May Influence Diagnosis, Treatment - Doctor's Guide, 1/16/03 - "A new study finds that people who have major depression are more than twice as likely to have chronic pain when compared to people who have no symptoms of depression" - See substance P.
• Leave Spouse Alone During Back Pain - Intelihealth, 11/4/02
• Functional Improvement in Chronic Low Back Pain Seen With Etoricoxib Study - Doctor's Guide, 10/29/02
• Lower-Back and Fibromyalgia Pain Linked, Possible Source Identified - Doctor's Guide, 10/28/02
• 'No-Cause' Back Pain Really Hurts - WebMD, 10/28/02
• Preoperative Ketorolac More Effective Post-Operatively, Vioxx (Rofecoxib) More Effective After Patient Discharge - Doctor's Guide, 10/15/02
• Pamidronate May Help Improve Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 10/14/02
• Opioids Should Be Considered For Relief Of Chronic Lower Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 10/3/02
• Opioids Recommended for Back Pain - WebMD, 10/3/02
• Is Pain Misunderstood? - WebMD, 9/20/02
• Single Dose of Dexketoprofen Trometamol Effectively Controls Pain Associated with Renal Colic - Doctor's Guide, 8/23/02
• Buprenorphine Transdermal System Effective for Cancer/Non-Cancer Pain with Minimal Side Effects - Doctor's Guide, 8/23/02
• Oral Methadone Effective as First-line Opioid Treatment for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/23/02
• Oral Contraceptives May Reduce Pain in Women with Temporomandibular Disorder - Doctor's Guide, 8/22/02
• Long-term Opioid Use for Non-Cancer Pain Not Associated with Cognitive Decline - Doctor's Guide, 8/22/02
• Long Term Use of Transdermal Fentanyl by Non-Cancer Pain Patients Does Not Impair Driving Ability - Doctor's Guide, 8/22/02
• Single Pre Surgery Dose of Parecoxib Followed by Valdecoxib for Seven Days Post Surgery Effective for Laparoscopic Cholescystectomy Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/22/02
• Gabapentine Effective for Severe Back Pain and Restless Leg Syndrome Associated with Rapid Opioid Detoxification - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Lamotrigine Effective in Refractory Neuropathic Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Patient Controlled Analgesia with IV Morphine Safe and Effective in Elderly Patients - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) Effective for Pain Associated with Common Cold - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Etoricoxib Superior to Oxycodone/Acetaminophen for Acute Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Intrathecal Clonidine Effective for Treatment of Intractable Non-Malignant Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Alvimopan is Well Tolerated and Effective for Reversal of Opioid-Induced Bowel Dysfunction - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Gabitril (Tiagabine) Demonstrates Efficacy as Augmenting Agent for Treatment of Chronic Pain with Comorbid Anxiety Disorders - Doctor's Guide, 8/21/02
• Subarachnoid Chromaffin Cell Allograft is Effective Analgesic in Patients with Terminal Cancer Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/20/02
• Buprenorphine TDS Demonstrates Long Term Pain Relief and Good Tolerability in Cancer and Chronic Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/20/02
• Novel Parenteral Opioid CJC-1008 Demonstrates Safety and Staying Power in Preliminary Studies - Doctor's Guide, 8/20/02
• Strontium 89 Offers Effective Pain Relief for Patients with Bony Metastases - Doctor's Guide, 8/16/02
• Shedding Light on Pain Management - Healthscout.com, 8/13/02
• Normal Activity Can Be As Good As Bed Rest In Acute Low Back Pain Patients - Doctor's Guide, 7/29/02
• Intrathecal Clonidine Effective, Tolerable in Long-Term Treatment of Pain - Doctor's Guide, 7/11/02
• Shock Wave Helps Tennis Elbow - WebMD, 7/3/02
• Cancer Pain Relief - WebMD, 5/29/02
• Low-Level Heat Wrap More Effective Than Oral Analgesics For Acute Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/28/02
• Pioneering Durogesic (Transdermal Fenatyl) Skin Patch: A Clear Choice In Chronic Pain Which Is Difficult To Treat - Doctor's Guide, 5/27/02
• Heat Wraps Beat Low-Back Pain - WebMD, 5/22/02
• Implantable Drug Delivery Systems Improve Survival, Reduce Pain and Drug Toxicity in Cancer Patients with Refractory Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/22/02
• Implantable Pain Pumps Improve Cancer Patients' Quality Of Life, May Increase Survival Rate - Doctor's Guide, 5/21/02
• Hands-on Approach Best for Neck Pain - WebMD, 5/20/02
• Electrothermal Therapy Significantly Reduces Chronic Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/15/02
• New Guidelines for Pain Control in Older Patients - Medscape, 5/14/02
• 'Pain Relief Ball' Cuts Opioid Use After Gynecologic Surgery - Medscape, 5/9/02
• Study Finds New Pain Relief Treatment Cuts Morphine Use After Surgery By More Than 40 Percent In Women Undergoing Cesarean Sections - Doctor's Guide, 5/8/02
• Low-dose Morphine Does not Cause Neurological Injury in Preterm Infants - Doctor's Guide, 5/7/02
• Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy Benefits Low Back Pain - Medscape, 5/6/02
• Heat Treatment Soothes Chronic Back Pain - WebMD, 5/1/02
• Easing Back Pain After Fracture - WebMD, 4/12/02
• Pain Perception By Older People Is Affected By Age, Sex And Cognitive Function - Doctor's Guide, 4/11/02
• Dexketoprofen May Improve Pain, Reduce Morphine Use After Hip Arthroplasty - Doctor's Guide, 4/3/02
• FDA Approves Once-Daily Avinza (Extended Release Morphine) For Chronic, Moderate-To-Severe Pain - Doctor's Guide, 3/21/02
• JCAHO Standard for Pain Scoring Lacks Power in ED - Doctor's Guide, 3/18/02
• Cancer Patients with Breakthrough Pain Prefer Actiq Treatment - Doctor's Guide, 3/18/02
• Chronic Low-Back Pain Responds to Etoricoxib - Doctor's Guide, 3/15/02
• Tramadol and Acetaminophen Combination Relieves Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 3/15/02
• Actiq (Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate) Provides Option for Breakthrough Cancer Pain - Doctor's Guide, 3/15/02
• Study Suggests that Ultracet (tramadol/ acetaminophen) Provides Rapid Relief of Oral Surgery Pain - Doctor's Guide, 3/11/02
• Pethidine Should Be Used For Acute But Not Chronic Pain - Doctor's Guide, 3/6/02
• Managing Pain: What's Next, What Works - WebMD, 2/22/02
• The Pitfalls of Opioids for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain - Medscape, 2/02
• Bextra (Valdecoxib) Offers Effective, Morphine-Sparing Pain Relief After Knee Surgery - Doctor's Guide, 2/12/02
• New Drug Fights Osteoarthritis Flare-Ups - WebMD, 11/27/01
• FDA Approves New Percocet Strengths With Lower Acetaminophen Doses - Doctor's Guide, 11/26/01
• New Drug Relieves Troubling Side Effect of Cancer Painkillers - WebMD, 10/31/01
• Transdermal Administration of Fentanyl Effective in Postsurgical Pain - Doctor's Guide, 10/17/01
• FDA Approves Ultracet (Tramadol/Acetominophen) For Acute Pain - Doctor's Guide, 8/20/01
• Massage May Be Best Approach for Back Pain, Combination of Treatments Often Necessary - WebMD, 5/31/01
• Botulinum Toxin Injections May Ease Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/22/01
• Botox could help back pain - CNN, 5/22/01
• Wonder-Poison Spells Relief for Low Back Pain, Researchers Find Yet Another Use for Botox - WebMD, 4/21/01
• Lidoderm (Lidocaine Patch) Relieves Post-Herpetic Neuralgia Pain - Doctor's Guide, 5/15/01
• Electrical Spine Stimulation Relieves Pain Even When Cause Is Unknown - WebMD, 4/26/01
• Once Daily Vioxx (Rofecoxib) Significantly Reduces Chronic Low Back Pain - Doctor's Guide, 4/23/01
• Two-Step Titration Helps Switch Cancer Pain Patients From Intravenous To Transdermal Fentanyl - Doctor's Guide, 4/22/01 - "Slowly switching cancer patients from intravenous to transdermal fentanyl in a two-step approach prevents pain crises"
• Rofecoxib Better Than Combination Acetaminophen/Codeine For Acute Pain Control - Doctor's Guide, 4/22/01 - "Rofecoxib [Vioxx] was superior to the narcotic combination in total pain relief over six hours, in peak pain relief, in the patient's own assessment of pain relief and in the time required to take rescue medication"
• Parecoxib Appears As Effective As Ketorolac, Morphine In Reducing Knee Surgery Pain - Doctor's Guide, 4/22/01 - "40 mg of intravenous parecoxib provides equivalent pain relief for up to 24 hours as did ketorolac, the only available intravenous (IV) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ... In addition, parecoxib, an investigational cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitor, was statistically significantly more effective in controlling pain than 4 mg of morphine, 20 mg of parecoxib and placebo"

No pathinfo