Infertility Treatment: Chinese Herbal Medicine More Effective Than Conventional Western Drug Therapy

When women and couples are seeking out treatment options for fertility issues, Chinese herbal medicine should not be overlooked.  Study results published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine back in December indicate that women receiving treatment in Chinese herbal medicine doubled their chances of becoming pregnant within four months compared with those undergoing conventional Western drug therapy or in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

In a systematic review including eight (non)-randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 13 cohort studies, 3 case series, and 6 case studies, researchers analyzed data from a total of 1851 women with poor fertility.  Meta-analysis of the RCTs showed that the likelihood of achieving pregnancy with Chinese herbal medicine treatment was 3.5 times higher compared with Western drug therapy over a four-month period.  Pregnancy rates were about 60% for those receiving Chinese herbal medicine compared with 32% receiving drug therapy.  Meta-analysis of selected cohort studies indicated an average clinical pregnancy rate of 50% in those being treated with Chinese herbal medicine versus only 30% in those getting IVF.  

Through their investigation, authors of the study came to recognize the crucial role that the quality of the menstrual cycle plays in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis.  They concluded that “Assessment of the quality of the menstrual cycle, integral to TCM diagnosis, appears to be fundamental to successful treatment of female infertility.”

When it comes to treatment of female infertility, TCM takes a holistic approach, aiming to treat the whole person rather than just symptoms or specific parts of the body.  TCM works to re-establish balance and reduce stress while also regulating hormones and menstruation.  As a highly effective form of medicine used widely throughout the world, those seeking help with fertility should consider TCM.  Most people find the fertility techniques used in this form of medicine to be non-invasive and highly affordable, not to mention supportive to overall well-being.   

Dr. Shana McQueen

Source:  http://www.acupuncturist.nl/acuweb/wp-content/uploads/2011_Ried_CHM_Fem_Infertility_SysReview.pdf

Probiotics May Protect Against Respiratory Illness in Infants

Beneficial flora (aka the “good bacteria”) play an important role in keeping our immune systems healthy.

Beneficial flora (aka the “good bacteria”) play an important role in keeping our immune systems healthy. Finnish researchers from the University of Turku recently found that probiotics given to babies during their first months of life appeared to be protective against respiratory illnesses.  Compared with the control group, infants whose daily diets included the probiotic species known as Bifidobacterium animalis (subspecies BB-12) experienced a 30 percent reduction in respiratory infections.  

Over a period of eight months, 109 infants were divided into two groups and monitored.  At the beginning of the trial period, all participants were about one month old.  Infants in the first group received a probiotic twice per day while infants in the second group received placebo.  Although the researchers did not note significant differences between the groups in overall gastrointestinal health, they did observe differences when it came to respiratory health. 

The researchers involved in this study admit their findings are only preliminary and that additional research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be made.  Still, they are confident that the results of this study will help contribute to new preventative treatment options for respiratory infections and other types of childhood illnesses. 

Although many probiotic products available today have fairly good safety records and have little or no side effects in most people, there are large differences when it comes to quality, purity, and effectiveness.  Some probiotics are well-researched and documented in the medical literature, while others are not.  For your child’s health and safety, it’s important to do the necessary research and talk to your trusted healthcare practitioner prior to use of a particular product. 

Studies like the one briefly mentioned above can serve to remind us of the important role that breastfeeding can play in the normal and healthy development of children.  There are many strains of beneficial flora that have evolved with the human body, some of which are known to be passed from mother to child in the form of breast milk.  Breastfeeding alone can be an important way of making sure infants receive the protective flora that will help them develop into healthy adults.  Of course, this requires that breastfeeding mothers have optimal levels of their own beneficial flora!  This can be achieved through healthy diet and lifestyle choices as well as appropriate probiotic supplementation if needed.     

Dr. Shana McQueen

Source:  http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7978241

Expectant Mothers Who Take Probiotics Have Healthier Babies

"Definitive link between probiotics and eczema prevention"

A study out of a Norwegian research project being conducted called “Prevention of Allergy Among Children in Trondheim” has found that mothers who drank a probiotic-supplemented milk during pregnancy cut their children’s risk of developing eczema by 40%. Eczema, a common skin condition, is often related to allergies and is connected to a familial pre-disposition. In the study, women were given either milk with probiotics or milk with a placebo, the participants were not aware of which they were given. Women and their children were evaluated from pregnancy until the children were two years old. Probiotics have been studied for many years for their ability to favorably alter intestinal flora, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. The Norwegian study is the first to identify a definitive link between probiotics and eczema prevention, particularly as the effects are passed down from mother to child.

Dr. Kerry Ferguson