The study involved 10,902 primary school children from three cities in China at different stages of modernisation (Hong Kong, Beijing and Guangzhou). Parents were asked about asthmatic symptoms and exposure to environmental factors.

A smaller group of children from each city underwent a skin prick test for sensitivity to eight common allergens, such as pollen and dust. Consumption of fruit and raw vegetables was also recorded.

Asthmatic symptoms were up to three times more common in children from the more developed Hong Kong than in those from mainland China.

Factors significantly associated with wheeze were cooking with gas, foam pillows, and damp housing. Factors protecting against wheeze were cotton quilts and frequent consumption of fruit and raw vegetables.

Environmental factors and diet may explain the differences in prevalence of asthma between children living in different regions of China, conclude the authors.

bma

"Potential drug interactions could be serious," states Fugh-Berman, author of the 5-Minute Herbs and Dietary Supplement Consult (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 2002). "Anyone who is taking daily medication should consult a physician before combining it with the use of C. aurantium. This and other herbal weight loss products should not be considered safe simply because they are available over-the-counter. The best way to lose weight is through exercise and diet."

Myers and Fugh-Berman encourage much more research on the effects of C. aurantium. As part of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Master ™s Program they help guide at Georgetown, Myers, Fugh-Berman, and their colleagues are focused on training scientists to address the research gaps in CAM, educating health care practicioners on the benefits and risks of CAM, and promoting critical, interdisciplinary thinking. The second year of this pioneering graduate biomedical program has enrolled double the students as the first year of the program, demonstrating a sincere and growing interest in exploring the science behind CAM and helping to fill in missing data to determine the safest recommendations for consumers.

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