Com­ple­ment­ary and al­tern­at­ive medi­cine are popular in Europe

People across the world who are seeking better answers for their health problems have been showing an interest in complementary and alternative medicine. The University of Helsinki has reported an extensive new study in Europe has found people are using complementary and alternative medicine for various health problems, particularly when help which is given via conventional medicine is considered not to be adequate. 

People are turning to alternative forms of treatment for back pain, headaches, and other distressing health problems.  In the study it was found that about 25 percent of the subjects have used complementary and alternative treatments during the past year.  Massage, homeopathy, osteopathy, and herbal remedies have been found to be the most popular forms of alternative treatment. 

The researchers noted that alternative and complementary medicine was used most often in a complementary manner, or along with with conventional medicine. There were observed to be significant differences in prevalence of treatments between countries, with about 40 percent of the subjects using complementary and alternative medicine in Germany whereas in Hungary this prevalence was about 10%. It appears this variation is partially explained by the fact that in some countries insurance covers these treatments.
  
This study has been published in the journal Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. In this study it has been found that CAM has been commonly used for health associated problems in Europe. Those who had a higher socioeconomic status were observed to be more likely than those with a lower socioeconomic status to come across an acceptable combination of standard medical and complementary therapies. This points to the possibility of socioeconomic inequality in the use of health services.

Gentle touch can help with the emotional pain of social rejection

Social exclusion is a very painful experience. There is a basic need in people for social contact and so certainly pills will not cure the psychic pain of social exclusion. Researchers have found that the gentle touch of another person can however help ease the pain of  being rejected socially. 

University College London has reported that the negative effects of social rejection can be soothed via the gentle touch of another person. The researchers have found a specific relationship exists between being gently touched by another person and social bonding.  This is significant in our fast paced digital world where the power of simple touch in human relations is often forgotten. 

Lead author, Mariana von Mohr says her research team has shown for the first time that simple gentle stroking by a stranger can decrease feelings of social exclusion after being rejected socially. People who were touched in such ways have demonstrated less feelings of
negativity and social exclusion.

 Dr Katerina Fotopoulou has said that there is a well recognized need for closeness and attachment in mammals. Therefore it was anticipated that social support would lower the emotional pain of social exclusion. 

This study has been published by Scientific Reports. Slow, affective touch has been shown to have a soothing function when dealing with social exclusion. A special relationship seems to exist between affective touch and social bonding. So if you really care about the feelings of a person suffering from the emotional pain of social rejection try some gentle social touching. 

There is an association between sugar and cancer

It has been well known that eating too much sugar can be associated with obesity and dental decay. New research has shown an association exists between sugar and cancer.

VIB reports that scientists have uncovered a relationship which exists between sugar and cancer. Researchers have explained that what is called the Warburg effect stimulates tumor growth. The Warburg effect is a phenomenon in which sugars are rapidly broken down by cancer cells in a manner which simulates the growth of tumors.

It has been observed that tumors convert a great deal more sugar into lactate in comparison to healthy tissues. This is a prominent feature of cancer cells. It has not been clear whether this effect is a symptom or cause of cancer.

This study has been published by the journal Nature Communications. Professor Johan Thevelein says this research has shown that the "hyperactive sugar consumption of cancerous cells leads to a vicious cycle of continued stimulation of cancer development and growth." The Warburg effect has been seen to create a vicious cycle wherein enhanced fermentation of sugar stimulates oncogenic potency. 

This link between sugar and cancer has been compelling. This research leads to the logical assumption that cutting down on sugar consumption may help protect you from getting cancer.

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