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- Good Scientific Evidence:
[Art therapy]: Art therapy involves many forms of art to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems. Art therapy became a mental health profession in the 1930s. Art therapy may help improve the quality of life in elderly individuals. Research suggests that using non-directed visual art, such as pictures, to encourage communication among elderly nursing home residents may increase their well-being, happiness, peacefulness, satisfaction, and calmness. Art therapy may also reduce blood pressure and improve medical health status with regard to reported dizziness, fatigue, pain, and use of laxatives.
- Art therapy may evoke distressing thoughts or feelings. Use under the guidance of a qualified art therapist or other mental health professional. Some forms of art therapy may use potentially harmful materials. Only materials known to be safe should be used. Related clean-up materials (such as turpentine or mineral spirits) that release potentially toxic fumes should only be used with good ventilation.
- Unclear or Conflicting Scientific Evidence:
[Ashwagandha]:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an evergreen shrub with small flowers and fruits. Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurvedic medicine in India for many centuries to help the body resist physical and emotional stress. The use of ashwagandha as an anti-aging agent is based on traditional use in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to promote physical and mental health, improve resistance to disease, and promote longevity. Human research is lacking in this area and currently there is insufficient evidence to draw a firm conclusion.
- Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to ashwagandha products or any of their ingredients. Dermatitis (allergic skin rash) was reported in three of 42 patients in one ashwagandha trial.
There are few reports of adverse effects associated with ashwagandha, but there are few human trials using ashwagandha and most do not report the doses or standardization/preparation used.
Avoid with peptic ulcer disease. Ashwagandha may have caused abortions based on anecdotal reports. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
[Cordyceps]: A fungi called cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is widely used as a dietary supplement. It has also been used as a tonic food and beverage in China and Tibet. It is also an ingredient in soups and other foods used traditionally in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, helping debilitated patients recover from illness. Cordyceps may improve various symptoms related to aging. However, higher quality studies testing specific symptoms of aging are needed before the effects of cordyceps can be described. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of cordyceps for anti-aging.
- Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to cordyceps, mold, or fungi. Use cautiously with diabetes, bleeding disorders, or prostate conditions. Use cautiously if taking anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, hormone replacement therapy, or oral contraceptives. Avoid with myelogenous type cancers. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
[Healing touch]:
Healing touch (HT) is a combination of hands-on and off-body techniques to influence the flow of energy through a person's biofield. Preliminary data suggests that HT treatments may help improve quality of life for older adults, including those with dementia, but the low quality of the available studies precludes clear findings. More studies are needed before recommendations can be made.
- HT should not be regarded as a substitute for established medical treatments.
[Prayer, distant healing]: Preliminary study suggests that older adults who participate in private religious activity before the onset of impairment in activities of daily living appear to have a survival advantage over those who do not. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of prayer on longevity.
- Traditional or Theoretical Uses Lacking Sufficient Evidence:
[Apricot]: Apricot is a natural fruit that grows in the northern Himalayas. It has been suggested that apricots may help delay or slow aging. However, human research is lacking.
- Avoid if allergic to apricot, its constituents, or members of the Rosaceae family, especially the Prunoideae subfamily of plants. Avoid eating excessive amounts of apricot kernels (about seven grams daily or more than 10 kernels daily). Avoid using Laetrile™ because multiple cases of cyanide poisonings, some of which were fatal, have been associated with its use. Use cautiously with diabetes. Use cautiously if taking supplements containing beta-carotene, iron, niacin, potassium, thiamine, or vitamin C. Use cautiously if taking products that may lower blood pressure. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
[DHEA]: DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone that is naturally produced by the adrenal glands, has been suggested, but not proven, as a possible anti-aging remedy. Some research suggests that it may improve memory, the immune system, muscle mass, sexual libido, and it may have beneficial effects on the skin. However, further research is needed in order to determine whether or not this treatment is safe and effective in humans.
- Avoid if allergic to DHEA. Avoid with a history of seizures. Use cautiously with adrenal or thyroid disorders. Use cautiously if taking anticoagulants, or drugs, herbs, or supplements for diabetes, heart disease, seizure, or stroke. Stop use two weeks before and immediately after surgery/dental/diagnostic procedures with bleeding risk. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
[Folate (folic acid)]: Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food and folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. Although it has been suggested that folate may prevent signs of aging, further research is needed to confirm these claims.
- Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to folate or any of the product ingredients. It is recommended that pregnant women consume 400 micrograms daily in order to reduce the risk of the fetus developing a defect. Folate is likely safe if breastfeeding.
[Ginkgo biloba]: Ginkgo biloba has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it is one of the top selling herbs in the United States. Traditionally, Ginkgo biloba has been used to reduce signs and symptoms of aging. However, human studies have not tested the safety and effectiveness of this treatment. Further research is warranted.
- Avoid if allergic or hypersensitive to members of the Ginkgoaceae
family.
If allergic to mango rind, sumac, poison ivy. poison oak, or cashews, then allergy to ginkgo is possible. Avoid with blood-thinners (like aspirin or warfarin) due to an increased risk of bleeding. Ginkgo biloba should be stopped two weeks before surgical procedures. Ginkgo biloba seeds are dangerous and should be avoided. Skin irritation and itching may also occur due to ginkgo allergies. Do not use Ginkgo biloba in supplemental doses if pregnant or breastfeeding.
[Ginseng]: The term ginseng refers to several species of the genus Panax. For more than 2,000 years, the roots of this slow-growing plant have been valued in Chinese medicine. Proponents of ginseng claim that it may improve long-term debility in elderly patients. However, human studies are needed to verify these claims.
- Avoid ginseng with a known allergy to plants in the Araliaceae family. There has been a report of a serious life-threatening skin reaction, possibly caused by contaminants in the ginseng formulation.
- Additional traditional or theoretical integrative therapies for aging that lack sufficient evidence include: acerola (Malpighia glabra), astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous), bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), bee pollen, beta-glucan, cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides), niacin, pomegranate (Punica granatum), psychotherapy, Qi gong, raspberry (Rubus spp.), reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), relaxation therapy, resveratrol, riboflavin, selenium, shiitake (Lentinus edodes), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
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