About 47 million Americans have some form of metabolic syndromea group of conditions that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and related complications. Metabolic syndrome is often characterized by abdominal obesity, impaired fasting glucose (an increase in glucose levels), elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol and triglycerides. It is also associated with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body cannot use insulin effectively. Previous studies have suggested that chromium picolinate dietary supplements can help people with type 2 diabetes by improving insulin resistance and increasing the bodys sensitivity to insulin. However, its effects on people with a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, especially those with metabolic syndrome, are largely unknown.

Low-Back Pain and CAM
Four out of five American adults will experience low-back pain (LBP). Many will try CAM therapies to manage their pain. Given the many choices, how can one approach making decisions about CAM use for LBP?

Also Featuring: Moving the Economyand Biomedical DiscoveryAhead; Interview: Low-Back Pain and Evidence-Based Care; First Straus Lecture: Acupuncture and Medical Paradigms; and other stories

FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals to discontinue use of three Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab products sold over-the-counter as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell that may be long-lasting or permanent. The FDA has received more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell associated with the use of the three Zicam products. In these reports, many people who experienced a loss of smell said the condition occurred with the first dose; others reported a loss of the sense of smell after multiple uses of the products. People who have experienced a loss of sense of smell or other problems after use of the affected Zicam products should contact their health care professional. The loss of sense of smell can adversely affect a persons quality of life, and can limit the ability to detect the smell of gas or smoke or other signs of danger in the environment.

Please use our link about Zicam to read more on these warnings.

Considering All Perspectives

Recently, a series of articles appeared in the media that were critical of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and how NCCAM directs taxpayer resources to study these modalities. While the articles contained several misconceptions regarding NCCAM's research, they also raised some important concerns that I share. No one likes criticism, but it is important to listen to the critics and look for any threads of truth that can help us fulfill our mission better. While the value of research on CAM interventions will probably continue to be the subject of some controversy, there are many areas of promise in CAM that need to be pursued. NCCAM is committed to this path.

Budget Request for FY 2010
Before the Senate Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations

The President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget request for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health includes $127,241,000, which is $1,770,000 more than the comparable FY 2009 appropriation of $125,471,000.

Physical pain is a common occurrence for many Americans; in fact, a national survey found that more than one-quarter of U.S. adults had recently experienced some sort of pain lasting more than a day. In addition to conventional treatments, such as over-the-counter and prescription medications, people may try acupuncture in an effort to relieve pain. This fact sheet provides basic information about pain and acupuncture, summarizes scientific research on acupuncture for specific kinds of pain, and suggests sources for additional information.

Neck pain is a common health problem in the United States. People suffering from neck pain often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Although therapeutic massage is one of the most popular CAM therapies for neck pain, little is known about its effectiveness for this condition.

This 1-day workshop will identify clinical research questions related to nonpharmacologic interventions to treat back pain. This information will help inform future research directions.