Acupuncture may not be a sound solution for prevention of postoperative ileus (PPOI), a common condition among people who've undergone major abdominal surgery. Marked by temporary paralysis of a portion of the intestines, PPOI can result in short-term inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement.

In a recent study, researchers randomly assigned 90 patients (all of whom had just received major surgery for colon cancer) to receive six daily acupuncture sessions or standard care. Treatment began the first day after their operation.

By day four, researchers detected no significant differences in PPOI between the two groups. What's more, the researchers found no group differences when it came to analyzing those whose PPOI had resolved by day five or day six.

In past studies, acupuncture (a needle-based ancient Chinese therapy) has been found to yield other benefits for postoperative patients, such as relieving pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Acupuncture May Not Prevent Post-Op Ileus originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 06:00:17.

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Omega-3 fatty acids may help shield cells from the effects of aging, according to a new study.

For the study, researchers recruited 608 people with stable coronary artery disease and measured the length of telomeres in their blood cells. Telomeres are structures found at the end of a chromosome; factors such as genetics and environmental stress are known to shorten their length over time. Therefore, telomere length is considered a marker of biological aging.

Sizing up five years of data on the participants' telomere lengths, the study's authors determined that individuals with the lowest blood levels of omega-3s had the most rapid rate of telomere shortening. Those with the highest omega-3 levels, meanwhile, had the slowest rate of telomere shortening.

Found naturally in certain foods (such as oily fish and flaxseed oil), omega-3s are available in dietary supplement form. Past research suggests that regular intake of omega-3s may help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check, as well as reduce stroke risk.

Omega-3s May Slow Up Cellular Aging originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 06:00:36.

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New research shows that thyme oil may help combat inflammation, a process thought to play a role in the onset of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and a host of other health problems. In a recently published study, scientists found that compounds in thyme oil can suppress COX-2 (an enzyme known to promote inflammation).

In lab tests, investigators discovered that a number of essential oils (including rose and eucalyptus) oil reduced COX-2 expression in cells by at least 25 percent. But thyme oil proved even more powerful, decreasing COX-2 levels by almost 75 percent.

Used in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine, essential oils are potent substances extracted from a plant's flowers, leaves, stems, buds, branches, or roots. Although its health effects have yet to be extensively studied, thyme oil has long been used to treat conditions such as cough, bronchitis, and indigestion in herbal medicine.

Thyme Oil May Target Inflammation originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 06:00:52.

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