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Author Archives: skeptvet
CAM and Religiosity
I have often referred to CAM as “faith-based medicine” due to its reliance on belief over evidence for validation, and I have commented on my perception that such a belief-based approach resembles religion, for which I have been soundly chastised … Continue reading
Posted in General
9 Comments
From CFI – Paying for Non-Evidence Based Health Care
The Office of Public Policy of the Center for Inquiry, a think tank an lobby devoted to science and reason in public policy, has issued a report warning of attempts by notorious CAM booster Tom Harkin and others to insert … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics
6 Comments
From Respectful Insolence – New Study on CAM and Vaccines
Orac at Respectful Insolence has posted a summary of a recent paper examining the relationship between usage of CAM (specifically defined as being treated by chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and massage therapists) treatments and vaccine rates. The study looked at children … Continue reading
Posted in General, Vaccines
4 Comments
Nutraceuticals and Cognitive Dysfunction
There is widespread agreement among veterinary behaviorists, and veterinarians in general, that one consequence of the improved longevity of our patients has been an increase in clinical behavior problems associated with brain aging. Changes in sleep/wake cycles, activity level, housetraining … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
35 Comments
The Gonzalez Trial – The Cost of Studying The Unlikely
First, I just wanted to point out that I have added another example to the list of harm done by use of CAM. In this case, it’s a tragic story about a young women suffering needlessly yet unwilling to give … Continue reading
Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM
2 Comments
What’s the Harm?
CAM proponents aggressively market their approaches with the assurance, often absolute and without qualification, that their methods never cause harm. And perhaps the most common response to critiques of CAM from people who consider themselves mildly skeptical of it but … Continue reading
Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM
3 Comments
From SBM – Why Unproven Does Not Mean Harmless
This post examines a study suggesting that CAM use may decrease the success rate of in vitro fertilization efforts. It is similar to a previous study suggesting CAM use is associated with shorter life expectancy in cancer patients in that … Continue reading
Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM
1 Comment
Woo U. — CAVM as Continuing Education for Veterinarians
Veterinarians are required by the state laws that control their licensure and scope of practice to keep up with changes in the body of knowledge and techniques that makes up veterinary medicine. Such continuing education is a requirement for all … Continue reading
Posted in General
23 Comments
Orthomolecular Medicine- Big Talk, Little Evidence, Real Risk
One of the most impressive-sounding labels for an unproven alternative therapy is Orthomolecular Medicine. And the origin of the term, coined by Nobel laureate Linus Pauling, gives it added gravitas. As it turns out, though, it’s just a fancy way … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements, Nutrition
10 Comments
Dara O’Briain- Humorous Skewering of Homeopathy and “Nutritionists”
Dara O’Briain is an Irish comedian who often takes a skeptical view of things. This brief video offers a refreshingly frank take on homeopathy and nutritional woo. Be warned, though, that it also contains a good bit of profanity.
Posted in Homeopathy, Humor, Nutrition
3 Comments