Cranberry juice and urinary tract infections: It tastes good and there are no real side effects, except, perhaps, for an excess of calories. So is cranberry juice the miracle cure for these nasty and distressingly common infections? Scientists say drinking cranberry juice regularly can, in fact, reduce risk, but it isn't the cure once bacteria get into your bladder. A study by researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute that was published this summer in the journal Colloids and Surfaces: B found that the juice changes the thermodynamic properties of bacteria in the urinary tract. That process creates an energy barrier that prevents the bugs from getting close enough to latch onto cells and start an infection. The researchers also found that cranberry juice's disease-preventing effects were transitory, which suggests that you have to drink it regularly for it to work. But how often and how much are still open questions. If you're watching your weight, try sugar-free juice.

Black cohosh and hot flashes: This herb is a very popular remedy for treatment of the most common symptom of menopause (about 80 percent of American women experience hot flashes in the years just before they stop menstruating). Most studies of its effectiveness have been mixed, and many of the positive ones were paid for by manufacturers, which should invite skepticism. But a 2006 trial funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institute on Aging found that black cohosh didn't work. Other studies indicate that it doesn't act like estrogen, which was the theory behind its purported effectiveness. Black cohosh generally is considered safe, although concerns have been raised about whether it might cause liver problems for some women. Black cohosh is just one of many herbal products once touted as cures for hot flashes. Others generally deemed ineffective in studies include ginseng and red clover. There have been mixed results with soy, but long-term use has been associated with thickening of the lining of the uterus, which increases the risk of uterine cancer.

Curcumin and Alzheimer's: Because of the remarkably low incidence of Alzheimer's in India, scientists have zeroed in on curcumin (the bright yellow anti-inflammatory-antioxidant compound found in turmeric, the spice used in curries) as a possible treatment. Early indications are that curcumin has the potential to help prevent or clear the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are associated with a higher incidence of the progressive disease. Researchers were heartened by the results of a 2004 study, in which mice fed a curcumin-heavy diet were found to have about 50 percent fewer amyloid plaques than those fed a different diet. Initial human studies have had mixed results, and scientists suspect absorption issues reduced the effectiveness of plain curcumin. However, when combined with fat (the way it's typically used in cooking), curcumin appears to be more available to the body, says Dr. Sally Frautschy, professor of medicine and neurology at the UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center. While it may be many years before there are definitive results from this line of research, Frautschy says she encourages Alzheimer's patients to talk to their neurologists about supplementing with curcumin. When asked for dosing advice, Frautschy recommends a curcumin-lipid formulation (she prefers two Longvida, a low-dose capsule developed by researchers from UCLA), plus DHA supplements (two 1-gram capsules of fish oil and two 200mg capsules of a microalgae-derived DHA supplement like Neuromins), along with 600mg of alpha lipoic acid, all taken morning and night. For prevention, she suggests halving these dosages. Her only caveat: take a break from curcumin if you need to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for any reason. People with clotting issues should raise those concerns with their doctor before starting curcumin.

For more information on alternative medicine, check out the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. There are lots of great resources and fact sheets on just about everything you can pick up in a health-food store. The FDA also offers a downloadable pamphlet that helps you keep track of what you are taking so that you can discuss your regimen with your doctor.

© 2008