Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine RSS feed: Current Issue. Under the guidance of Editor Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH, Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine provides a one-stop resource for the latest evidence on the use of alternative medicine in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, including cancer. In each quarterly issue, you will find critical analyses of alternative measures for both the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, including comparisons of the efficacy of alternative versus traditional treatments. Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine will present information based on reports from clinical trials to provide guidance in developing individualized patient health plans. Dr. Moyad has developed a unique and fundamental framework for disease prevention that recognizes the importance of evidence-based, objective investigations of both alternative and traditional treatments. Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine is a valuable resource for all practitioners treating patients with chronic diseases, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, depression, arthritis and chronic pain. The journal includes reviews of treatment options and preventive measures from leaders in the field; results of clinical trials; examinations of the benefits and limitations of new products or screening tests; updates on nutritional therapies, supplements and diets; Dr. Moyad's review of chronic conditions and alternative treatments based on the clinical evidence.http://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine1556-406133Autumn 2007 © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/article/PIIS1556406108000046/abstract?rss=yesThere were several articles I always wanted to see published before we moved on to other things. In this issue of Seminars in Preventive Medicine you will see that indeed these articles are provided for you. For example, discussions of statin drugs and cancer or a continuation of the vitamin C series is also included. I decided not to focus on an A to Z section this time because I felt that these papers in this issue were timely and put these subjects in their proper perspective. However, let's cut to the chase. I really want to say that it has been an honor being the editor-in-chief of this journal, but the time to move on has arrived. I appreciate all the support and attention we received over the past few years and I hope if I appear in another location in the future that you will continue to support this entity. I wish you all the best health and wellness in your lives and I hope you will be hearing from me again really soon because I certainly loved hearing from you through the kind cards and letters.EditorialMark A. Moyad10.1016/j.spre.2008.04.001Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine 3, 3 (2007)Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine33S1556-4061(08)X0002-0129129http://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/article/PIIS1556406108000022/abstract?rss=yesSnoring affects over 37% of the adult population of the United States and over 12 million adults suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. The manifestations of these disorders can be measured in poor productivity, an increase in the number of accidents, significant risks of cardiovascular disease or stroke, and major effects on spouses such as depression and increased dissatisfaction with the relationship. This article examines the diagnosis and the most common treatment methods in use today. It also presents an alternative treatment option, the custom made fully adjustable oral appliance, for the continuous positive airway pressure–intolerant patient. It stresses the need for long-term follow-up and monitoring of the patient's progress.The ABCs of Obstructive Sleep ApneaNeil F. Sachs10.1016/j.spre.2008.01.001Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine 3, 3 (2007)Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine33S1556-4061(08)X0002-0Original Articles130132http://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/article/PIIS1556406108000034/abstract?rss=yesZinc as a supplement has generated a significant amount of interest in the lay press. It is an essential micronutrient that is easily and commonly ingested. Although deficiencies may cause significant health problems, there are growing data that excess zinc may engender other risks. With regard to the genitourinary system, these include increased risk of kidney stones, infection, and potentially cancer. These issues and current dietary recommendations are reviewed in this article.Zinc and Urinary Tract Disease: Evolving Research and Current RecommendationsTimo A.J. Laurila, Aaron R. Johnson, Nima Almassi, Kristina L. Penniston, David F. Jarrard10.1016/j.spre.2008.01.002Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine 3, 3 (2007)Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine33S1556-4061(08)X0002-0Original Articles133139http://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/article/PIIS1556406108000058/abstract?rss=yesStatins or cholesterol-lowering drugs seem to be the ideal next choice for a large chemoprevention or adjuvant trial in prostate cancer for numerous reasons, including 1) cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been the number one cause of death in men and women every year in the United States since 1900; 2) CVD has been the number one cause of death in the major cancer chemoprevention trials; 3) there seems to be a high rate of dyslipidemia in men that attend prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening studies; 4) CVD has been the number one or two cause of death of men postdiagnosis and posttreatment of localized prostate cancer; 5) the recent potential relationship between prostate cancer and dyslipidemia continues to be profound; 6) almost every single dietary intervention that impacts prostate cancer favorably may also have a simultaneous impact on reducing the risk of CVD; and 7) reducing the risk of all-cause mortality seems to make more logical sense in any major cancer trial. The pleiotropic impact of statins or cholesterol lowering suggests this is one of the most practical approaches to achieving a significant overall clinical impact. Shifting the burden of disease from one area of medicine to another is not tantamount to an advance in medicine, but rather a lateral dubious step of medical achievement. Heart healthy changes, such as statin utilization, which carries a high probability of impacting prostate health favorably deserves more attention in cancer research and when proffering clinical recommendations to patients.Statins, Diet, and Dietary Supplements for Prostate Cancer: A Potential Connection and Recommendation Based on ProbabilityMark A. Moyad, Gregory S. Merrick10.1016/j.spre.2008.04.002Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine 3, 3 (2007)Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine33S1556-4061(08)X0002-0Original Articles140146http://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/article/PIIS155640610800006X/abstract?rss=yesMen's health needs attention in terms of better awareness, improved lifestyle, and interventional options. An intense area of focus revolves around the potential to find a suitable agent for prostate cancer prevention. This intense area of interest or potential chemoprevention has witnessed improved funding for a variety of clinical trials. Some have been completed, some are underway and some are still being designed. Prostate cancer prevention is moving from a possibility to a distinct reality. Several older agents utilized originally for benign prostatic hyperplasia such as finasteride and dutasteride look promising, as do the older alpha-blockers from preliminary studies. Nutritional supplement interventions are also a distinct possibility. In just a few years the question might not be “Can prostate cancer be prevented?” but “What is the most suitable agent for prevention?” which an ideal position for clinicians and patients.Chemoprevention for Prostate Cancer: A Step by Step Guide to Some New and Old Potential AgentsMark A. Moyad10.1016/j.spre.2008.04.003Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine 3, 3 (2007)Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine33S1556-4061(08)X0002-0Original Articles147153http://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/article/PIIS1556406108000071/abstract?rss=yesArguably, vitamin C has received more attention clinically and commercially compared with any other dietary supplement. First recognized as a way to eliminate scurvy and infections related to scurvy, recent studies utilizing this compound in a range of formulations and by itself show that it potentially may impact the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other diverse conditions. However, what is the actual current clinical evidence for this vitamin or another formulation of this vitamin? The strongest data for vitamin C appear to be as a nutrient that potentially enhances a combination product, and this has been observed in the areas of prenatal care, eye disease, and general health maintenance. However, the possibility also exists that vitamin C by itself may favorably impact these conditions. For example, the potential for immune enhancement for users of vitamin C supplements alone is of interest. A recent meta-analysis of randomized trials published over the past several decades concluded that the evidence was preliminary but solid enough to consider recommending vitamin C supplementation to prevent and help treat pneumonia along with conventional medicine in some cases. The Physicians' Health Study II, which is randomizing 15,000 doctors to several types of supplements, including 500 mg of vitamin C daily or placebo, will be one of the most interesting clinical studies to date with this nutrient in terms of preventing a variety of chronic diseases. Additionally, vitamin C containing metabolites (Ester-C) already has several clinical studies that suggest it may provide better tolerance, immune enhancement of greater duration, and a lower risk of side effects compared with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) alone. Our group is currently designing and recruiting one of the largest clinical studies of vitamin C by itself compared with Ester-C. These clinical studies should determine the impact of this nutrient on a variety of important immune measurements, as well as whether it has the potential to reduce mental and physical markers of stress-induced immune changes. Regardless, vitamin C is establishing a clinical track record, which is allowing researchers to begin to understand its overall impact in medicine apart from its antiquated role as a solution for scurvy.Vitamin C Dietary Supplements: An Objective Review of the Clinical Evidence. Part IIMark A. Moyad, Angelica S. Vrablic, Maile A. Combs10.1016/j.spre.2008.04.004Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine 3, 3 (2007)Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine33S1556-4061(08)X0002-0Original Articles154158http://www.seminarsprevaltmed.com/article/PIIS1556406108000083/abstract?rss=yesArguably, vitamin C has received more attention clinically and commercially compared with any other dietary supplement. First recognized as a way to eliminate scurvy and infections related to scurvy, recent studies utilizing this compound in a range of formulations and by itself show that it potentially may impact the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other diverse conditions. However, what is the actual current clinical evidence for this vitamin or another formulation of this vitamin? The strongest data for vitamin C appear to be as a nutrient that potentially enhances a combination product and this has been observed in the areas of prenatal care, eye disease, and general health maintenance. However, the possibility also exists that vitamin C by itself may favorably impact these conditions. For example, the potential for immune enhancement for users of vitamin C supplements alone is of interest. A recent meta-analysis of randomized trials published over the past several decades concluded that the evidence was preliminary but solid enough to consider recommending vitamin C supplementation to prevent and help treat pneumonia along with conventional medicine in some cases. The Physicians' Health Study II, which is randomizing 15,000 doctors to several types of supplements, including 500 mg of vitamin C daily or placebo, will be one of the most interesting clinical studies to date with this nutrient in terms of preventing a variety of chronic diseases. Additionally, Vitamin C containing metabolites (Ester-C) already has several clinical studies that suggest it may provide better tolerance, immune enhancement of greater duration, and a lower risk of side effects compared with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) alone. Our group is currently designing and recruiting one of the largest clinical studies of vitamin C by itself compared with Ester-C. These clinical studies should determine the impact of this nutrient on a variety of important immune measurements, as well as whether it has the potential to reduce mental and physical markers of stress-induced immune changes. Regardless, vitamin C is establishing a clinical track record, which is allowing researchers to begin to understand its overall impact in medicine apart from its antiquated role as a solution for scurvy.Vitamin C Dietary Supplements: An Objective Review of the Clinical Evidence. Part IIIMark A. Moyad10.1016/j.spre.2008.04.005Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine 3, 3 (2007)Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine33S1556-4061(08)X0002-0Original Articles159168