Lifecare Chiropractic
James Bogash, D.C.
1830 S. Alma School Rd
Bldg 7, Ste 135
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 839-CARE (2273)
Research Updates 5-1-2005
***The Cost-Effectiveness of Lifestyle Modification or Metformin in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes***
Ouch. Lifestyle intervention: $1100. Metformin: $31,300. These costs take into account the intervention as well as cost of side effects of the intervention. Would seem kindof like a no brainer for the insurance companies, but they still do not pay well or constistently for lifestyle/therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC).
***Calcium, Dairy Products, and Bone Health in Children and Young Adults: A Reevaluation of the Evidence***
I have said before that, of everything I bring up when I am speaking to the public, my position on dairy receives the most disbelief--some bordering on anger. But, I still contend that the marketing of dairy in the presence of marginal (at best) research to support its use remains one of the top few successes in my lifetime. HRT was another one at the top of the list. I always remind people I speak with of two things: cows don't drink milk for their calcium, and we are the only mammalian creature that continues to drink milk after we're weaned (with the exception of cats--and that's because we give it to them).
***Glycyrrhizic acid alters Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus latency, triggering p53-mediated apoptosis in transformed B lymphocytes***
Wow. One of the problems with many viral infections is that they incorporate themselves into our own DNA so we can't find them. This makes it difficult to find these contaminated cells and eradicate them. This study suggests that glycyrrhizic acid (from licorice) may be able to help the body recognize these contaminated cells.
***Synergistic proinflammatory responses induced by polymicrobial colonization of epithelial surfaces***
Before the title causes your eyes to glaze over, let me put this in a better light. This study confirms that bacteria present along the respiratory tract can amplify inflammation occurring in the airways. This study specifically looked at Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. So why is this interesting? Studies have shown that the use of probiotics such as lactobacillis can change the composition of the flora of the nasopharynx to less Strep and Staph and more Lactobaccillis. That can go in reverse--kill off normal flora with antibiotics, stick with processed foods present in todays' foods (fermented foods such as yogurt and miso and tempeh contain probiotics, while Staph and Strep are pretty much found everywhere) so the good bacteria doesn't get replaced, and Viola--instant source of increased airway inflammation.
***Hydroxytyrosol, a natural antioxidant from olive oil, prevents protein damage induced by long-wave ultraviolet radiation in melanoma cells***
I still contend that the increase in melanoma rates in our kids are not from increased sun exposure, but rather from reduced intake of compounds that may protect us from sun damage and cancer formation. It is estimated that as high as 75% of the population is vit D deficient, and the unreasonable fear of the sun is contributing to this extreme deficiency numbers.
***A Randomized Trial of Low-Dose Aspirin in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women***
I guess it's not the results of this study that should surprise everyone, but rather the thought process behind it. This study did not show a benefit in women in preventing a first cardiovascular event with the use of aspirin. What surprises me is this never ending quest to find a single agent to effect a single disease (statins, anyone?). Many of these, "one cause, one cure" approaches affect only the disease looking to be improved, if that. However, the other 20 recommendations to lower your risk of a heart attack like a low glycemic index diet, exercise, fish oils, lots of fruits and veggies, etc... will have a side effect of lowering your risk for just about every chronic disease. So we focus on one single intervention like taking aspirin to lower our risk of heart attack, when we should educate the public about refined carbs and insulin resistance.
I guess it's not the results of this study that should surprise everyone, but rather the thought process behind it. This study did not show a benefit in women in preventing a first cardiovascular event with the use of aspirin. What surprises me is this never ending quest to find a single agent to effect a single disease (statins, anyone?). Many of these, "one cause, one cure" approaches affect only the disease looking to be improved, if that. However, the other 20 recommendations to lower your risk of a heart attack like a low glycemic index diet, exercise, fish oils, lots of fruits and veggies, etc... will have a side effect of lowering your risk for just about every chronic disease. So we focus on one single intervention like taking aspirin to lower our risk of heart attack, when we should educate the public about refined carbs and insulin resistance.
***Risk of CVD by Hysterectomy Status, With and Without Oophorectomy***
This exemplifies what I have a problem with--many times women have hormonal dysfunctions that lead to gynecological problems. These problems could be caused by estrogen dominance, insulin resistance, increased inflammation via poor dietary supply of omega 3 fatty acids... But these women undergo hysterectomies without ever fully evaluating what the actual cause of the problem was! Quite frustrating considering that whatever the imbalance, it is allowed to reign unchecked after one of the body's smoke detectors (the problem leading up to the hysterectomy) is plucked out.
***Enrichment of Tomato Paste with 6% Tomato Peel Increases Lycopene and ß-Carotene Bioavailability in Men***
Just thought I'd include this so you think twice next time about peeling the peel off that cucumber, tomato or potato..
***Dietary Fructooligosaccharides Increase Intestinal Permeability in Rats***
Okay, so this is a rat study and the amount of FOS given to the rats was excedingly high (4500 GRAMS for an average sized male human--I thought this might be an error, but no corrections have been noted), but this study still illustrates that probiotics and prebiotics given willy-nilly is not always a good thing. We still have much to learn on this important topic, and much research is focused on identifying what types of probiotics are good for what application (IBS, lower inflammation, immune stimulatory...). It may be years yet before we fully understand all the nuances of pre/probiotic use.
***Low-Dose Aspirin in the Primary Prevention of CVD in Women***
Wow. It's been a bad time for dogma. HRT, dairy, now aspirin to prevent a heart attack in women. I have always contended that there are 20 other ways to lower your risk of CVD that will not only pose no risks, but have benefits in risk reduction in many other chronic diseases such as diabetes or cancer. Funny, but I don't recall this one getting alot of press, either, and this was in the NEJM...
Wow. It's been a bad time for dogma. HRT, dairy, now aspirin to prevent a heart attack in women. I have always contended that there are 20 other ways to lower your risk of CVD that will not only pose no risks, but have benefits in risk reduction in many other chronic diseases such as diabetes or cancer. Funny, but I don't recall this one getting alot of press, either, and this was in the NEJM...
***Mechanism underlying oxidative stress-mediated lipotoxicity***
In a nutshell, the researchers in this study found that elevated triglycerides (as would be found in insulin resistance) get sucked up into the macrophages (a type of white blood cells), and once there, started to destroy the mitochondria of the cell resulting in cell death. The death of a macrophage in the bloodstream can lead to the production of foam cells and subsequent plague in the arteries. Interestingly, vit C, NAC and resveratrol protected the macrophages from this death. So, to extrapolate into a living, breathing human, antioxidants protect the cells that produce plaquing in the arteries, resulting in less plaque.
Dr. James Bogash, D.C.
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 for Chandler, Mesa and Tempe Arizona
•
(480)839-CARE (2273) • Map • Sitemap
Copyright © 2005-2008 • New Patient Forms