7
Aug

New Book Exposes Facts on Numerous Natural Medicines

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Via: redOrbit

A HARDCORE sceptic is now trumpeting the use of natural remedies to help people become healthier and happier. But pharmacist, doctor and medical researcher Shaun Holt is adamant his message is based on pure science, not hearsay. His just- released book, Natural Remedies That Really Work, A New Zealand Guide, comes with a bottom line: “What medical research actually says about natural health products and therapies.” The British- trained, Tauranga-based medical expert says he’s looked at the most compelling “good” research from scientists the world over during the past few years and been wowed by their findings.

Holt wasn’t always so convinced about natural remedies.

“Basically, I was a card-holding, paid-up member of the Sceptics Society,” he says.

Systematic scientific studies, especially large randomised controlled trials and meta-analysis (overview of many studies of one medicine or natural remedy), changed his way of thinking.

However, he’s quick to point out that the difference between natural products and pharmaceuticals is often smaller than people realise.

“A quarter of prescription drugs are taken directly from plants or are chemically modified versions of compounds that are taken directly from plants, and over half of pharmaceuticals are made from natural compounds,” he says.

Of the 76 natural remedies outlined in his book, the one that is head and fins above the rest is fish oil, also known as omega-3.

Fatty fish plays a pivotal role in 16 of the 148 studies Holt has chosen for the first edition of the guide. Including 1 gram (1000mg) of fish oil in your daily diet can have positive effects in treating back and neck pain, cardiac arrhythmia, depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, psychiatric patients with a history of self-harm and Alzheimer’s.

Omega-3 also helps reduce mental and cognitive decline in the aged, the chance of developing renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and the risk of dying from coronary artery disease.

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Category : fish oil / omega-3