Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Human Nutrition) by Subject "Alternative medicine"

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    Pine bark extract for the treatment of chronic disorders : a cochrane cystematic review
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Robertson, Nina Ursula; Schoonees, Anel; Visser, Janicke; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: Pine bark extract is rich in proanthocyanidins, a powerful antioxidant. These commercially available supplements are marketed for preventing and treating a range of chronic conditions associated with oxidative stress. This is an update and expansion of a previous review. Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of pine bark extract supplements intended for the treatment of chronic disorders. Search methods: We searched three databases and three trial registries until 6 September 2019. We contacted manufacturers of pine bark extracts to identify additional studies, and handhand-searched bibliographies of included studies. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials evaluating pine bark extract supplements in adults or children with any chronic disorder were included. We assessed clinical outcomes directly related to the disorder and all-cause mortality as primary outcomes. Adverse events and biomarkers of oxidative stress were secondary outcomes. Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Where possible, we pooled data in metameta-analyses. For the main outcomes per condition, we used GRADE to evaluate the quality of evidence. Main results: We included 27 trials with 1641 participants across ten chronic disorders. These comprised asthma (two studies; N=86), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( (one study; N=61), cardiovascular disease ( and risk factorfactors (seven studies; N=338), chronic venous insufficiency ( (two studies; N=60), diabetes mellitus ( (six studies; N=339), erectile dysfunction ( (three studies; N=277), female sexual dysfunction (one study; N=83), osteoarthritis (OA) (three studiesstudies; N=293), osteopenia (one study; N=44) and traumatic brain injury ( (one study; N=60). Two studies were conducted in children; the others involved adults. Trials lasted between one and six months. Overall risk of bias was low for six studies, unclear for twenty, and high for one study. Results varied, ranging across conditions from favouring pine bark extract supplements to having no effect when compared to control. The quality of evidence for all the main outcomes were very low. It is not known whetwhether pine bark improves diastolic blood pressure (MD -3.00 mmHg, 95% CI -4.51 to -1.49) or LDL or HDL cholesterol in CVD. In OA, it is unknown whether pine bark decreases change in nonnon-steroidal antianti-inflammatory medication usage (MD -18.30, 95% CI -25.14 to -11.46) or pain scores in CVI (MD -0.59, 95% CI -1.02 to -0.16). It is also unknown whether pine bark increases satisfaction in females with sexual dysfunction, increases bone alkaline phosphatase in osteopenia, decreases HbA1c in type two DM, increases the number of asthma patients off albuterol inhalers, decrease inattention and hyperactivity in children with ADHD, increases International Index of Erectile FunctionFunction-5 scores in men with ED or decreases cognitive failure scores in TBI. Hospitalisation of two participants, one each from the pine bark extract group in two studies, and non -serious adverse events in seven studies were reported. Conclusions: Due to small sample sizes, limited number of trials per condition, variation in outcome measures, an d generally poor reporting in included studies, no definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy or safety of pine bark extract supplements are possible.
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    The use of complementary and alternative therapies among adult HIV positive patients in an outpatient setting
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2008-03) Aucamp, Charle M.; Meyer, R.; Labadarios, D.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Human Nutrition.
    Objective: To determine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among adult HIV positive patients in an outpatient setting. Design: A prospective, observational study performed on patients diagnosed with HIV. The study was conducted from July 2005 to November 2005. Setting: An Outpatient clinic at the Department of Sexual Health (DOSH), Whipps Cross University Hospital, London. Subjects: All patients diagnosed with HIV at the DOSH were approached to participate in the project. Data on patients not using CAM and incomplete questionnaires were not used in the data analysis process. Outcomes measures: The outcome measures include the prevalence of CAM use, reasons for using CAM therapies and monthly expenditure with CAM therapies, sources of information about CAM therapies, disclosure of CAM therapy use, knowledge regarding antiretroviral therapy and CAM therapy drug interactions.