To the Editor: We read with interest the commentaries by Pirotta and Dwyer on complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs).1,2 This debate has a long history, spanning more than two decades,3 and the pessimism continues to ignore good science.2
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- 1. Pirotta MV. Is it ethical for medical practitioners to prescribe alternative and complementary treatments that may lack an evidence base? — Yes. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 78. <MJA full text>
- 2. Dwyer JM. Is it ethical for medical practitioners to prescribe alternative and complementary treatments that may lack an evidence base? — No. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 79. <MJA full text>
- 3. Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990–1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA 1998; 280: 1569-1575.
- 4. Kotsirilos V, Vitetta L, Sali A. A guide to evidence-based integrative and complementary medicine. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone Australia, 2011.
- 5. Yan Y, Polk DB. Probiotics: progress toward novel therapies for intestinal diseases. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2010; 26: 95-101.
- 6. Egert S, Stehle P. Impact of n-3 fatty acids on endothelial function: results from human interventions studies. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2011; 14: 121-131.
- 7. Fjorback LO, Arendt M, Ornbøl E, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy — a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2011; 124: 102-119.
- 8. Linnane AW, Kios M, Vitetta L. Healthy aging: regulation of the metabolome by cellular redox modulation and prooxidant signaling systems: the essential roles of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. Biogerontology 2007; 8: 445-467.
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Luis Vitetta and Avni Sali have research collaborations with nutraceutical companies in Australia.