***Efficacy and Safety of Topiramate for the Treatment of Chronic Migraine*** Talk about a difference in perception!!! The authors conclude that "Topiramate is safe and generally well tolerated in this group of subjects with chronic migraine, a burdensome condition with important unmet treatment needs. Safety and tolerability of topiramate were consistent with experience in previous clinical trials involving the drug." Look at the data and tell me is "generally" means 10% of the study population stopped due to side effects. And all of this for a whopping 1.5/91 days decrease in headache over placebo. So, we're going to spend, what, say $600 for 3 months Topamax to have 1.5 days less HA? But let's cut chiro Rx to save money... Read More

***The Prevalence of Inflammatory Periodontitis Is Negatively Associated with Serum Antioxidant Concentrations*** There is quite a bit of evidence now on how important oral health is to our overall health. The links between CVD and periodontal disease is particularly strong. There are several ways of looking at this, and, as always, the true answer probably lies somewhere in between. One viewpoint is that periodontal disease and it's associated infection is a source of chronic, low grade inflammation--and we all know how damaging inflammation is. Or, as this study suggests, these patients may have periodontal disease as a result of poor underlying health. In the case of this study, the better the patient's antioxidant status, the less likely they were to have periodontal disease. Either way, we need to include good oral health as a part of any healthy lifestyle. Read More

***Probiotic Effects on Inflammatory Bowel Disease*** The relationship between probiotics and IBD is definite. The problem is that we don't have all the details worked out just yet. What is very clear is that friendly bacteria is absolutely essential for healthy immune system development in the newborn and infant. Having them there early in life helps to set up a tolerance that forever helps balance the immune system. If the balance is destroyed early, as is the case in any infant given antibiotics and not replaced w/ probiotics (I personally have yet to see a patient come into my office that has ever been recommended probiotics by their pediatrician), the risk for IBD goes up. The problem is that later in life, if the patient develops IBD, the strength of protectiveness of probiotics is not so clear cut. The bottom line is that we HAVE to understand what antibiotics do to the long term trajectory of our health when given to our infants. To date, it is not and our greatest concern w/ antibiotic overuse remains resistance. Read More

***Helicobacter pylori and Probiotics*** Just in case you think the dangers of antibiotic overuse is limited to IBD risk (as if that wasn't bad enough all on it's own...) this article finds that addition of probiotics to treatment of H. pylori greatly increases its effectiveness and reduces side effects. Sounds great, right? Here's the real question--is the H. pylori present in the FIRST place because of destruction of the normal, protective flora years earlier by antibiotics? The answer is likely yes, and geezzz...what a boon for the drug companies, huh? One treatment increases the need for another, more expensive treatment later down the road!! What a gig! Read More

***Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics Affect Mineral Absorption, Bone Mineral Content, and Bone Structure*** I'm really not making this stuff up. And despite thousands of articles relating probiotics to so many aspects of our health, how can we still think the major problem is antibiotic resistance? The number of patients affected by antibiotic resistance is paltry compared to the real number of patients affected by destruction of normal flora. Read More

***Optimal Vitamin D Status for Colorectal Cancer Prevention A Quantitative Meta Analysis*** 1,000 to 2,000 IU/day of Vit D could result in a 50% reduction in cancer rates. 50%. One half. With no known side effects to Vit D supplementation at this level, and little risk with rationale sun exposure. Shouldn't this information be plastered across every piece of marketing material the American Cancer Society puts out? If the benefit is so clear cut, why do I still get push back from people in the community when I suggest 2,000 IU/day? Shouldn't everyone be aware of this by now? I can't begin to explain my frustration with all the focus on "finding a cure" when knowledge about prevention is so incredibly strong. And this is just one approach, which, incidentally, would also be in line with the AHA's and ADA's agendas, since they purport to lower the burden of their respective diseases. Read More

***Neuroprotective potential of the Bahadori leanness program: A "mini-fast with exercise" strategy*** This concept continues to intrigue me. Regular readers of Updates will know that I feel that the increase in mitochondrial number and function with caloric restriction w/o nutrient restriction is a potentially very powerful tool but hard to get compliance. There have been variations on this theme, such as alternate day calorie restriction. This concept looks at calorie restriction w/in the context of an aggressive aerobic workout in the middle of a fast, with appropriate supplementation to support fat oxidation, to provide both lean body composition as well as neuroprotection. There is quite a bit of supporting research to go along with this concept, making it a strong contender for a protective lifestyle against most chronic diseases. Read More

***Vit D Toxicity Redefined: Vit K and the Molecular Mechanism*** With the mounting evidence of very high rates of Vit D deficiency and the gradually increasing use of Vit D in higher levels, any increased understanding into how toxicity would occur is valuable. This author suggests that the toxicity of Vit D may be related to interfering w/ Vit K metabolism. If this is proves true, the addition of Vit A may help alleviate side effects associated with even higher dosages. Keep in mind that toxicity from Vit D is not seen with commonly used levels (1,000 to 4,000 IU / day). Read More

***Initial Poor Quality of Life and New Onset Dyspepsia*** Given that digestive problems are strongly related to lifestyle, the results of this study are not surprising. We know that probiotics help with H. pylori infection and it is likely that destruction of normal flora sets up the H. pylori infection in the first place. Lower levels of Vit C contribute. Stress greatly contributes. All these factors that can contrubte to dyspepsia would also contribute to other health related problems. That doesn't even take into account what happens when we suppress gastric acid production with drugs. The bottom line is that dyspepsia needs to be addressed w/ lifestyle changes for the best results. Read More

***Exercise-induced brachial artery vasodilation: role of free radicals*** As is always the case with physiology, there needs to be balance. Few things are "good" or "bad," but rather need to be taken in the whole context of the patient. As a review, free radicals are generated as a side effect of energy production in the mitochondria, and are normally quenched by endogenous antioxidants or antioxidant enzymes. When left to run amok, they can create mass amounts of damage within a cell and play a role in the development of most chronic diseases. However, we know that white blood cells use free radicals to destroy engulfed bacteria and viruses. This study finds another function for free radical production. Flow mediated vasodilation of arteries is a good thing and can increase blood flow to an area. The vasculature uses free radical production as a marker to increase blood flow to an area. The bottom line is that, as with anything to do with physiology, it's about balance. Read More

James Bogash, DC and Amy Strock, DC
1830 S. Alma School Rd, Bldg 7, Ste 135, Mesa, AZ 85210
(Alma School Road, just south of the Superstition Freeway/Highway 60)
Chiropractic Health Care Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert & Tempe, Arizona
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