Lifecare Chiropractic
James Bogash, DC
Amy Strock, DC
1830 S. Alma School Rd
Bldg 7, Ste 135
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 839-CARE (2273)
Research Updates June 6, 2005
***Selenium Enrichment of Broccoli: Interactions between Selenium and Secondary Plant Compounds***
Most people are unaware of what genetically modified foods are and have little more than an idea of what GMO truly means. I can guarantee that anytime we mess with Mother Nature, there will be consequences. This article highlights yet another aspect of changing foods--raising the selenium content of broccoli artificially inhibits the production of other beneficial compounds normally found in this food. The net effect, in a situation like this, may actually be a product that is not as good and protective as what we starting with.
***Increasing Insulin Resistance Is Associated with a Decrease in Leydig Cell Testosterone Secretion in Men***
For those of you new to the Updates, consider this a warning that I'm about to go on a verbal rampage. Insulin resistance continues to be associated with almost every ill of industrialized nations--even to the point where the next time a web page won't load, I convinced that insulin resistance is the root cause... So, with a disease state so incredibly prevalent, so incredibly devasting, so linked to every chronic disease we know, why do I still have patients coming in that are insulin resistant and this factor is blatently ignored by other providers?????? One patient's boyfriend is American Indian. Clearly insulin resistant to the point of acanthosis nigricans on face and neck and she tells me that he's been "checked out" and doesn't have diabetes. Ugghhh!! If I had any hair left at that point I would've pulled the last bits out...
***Percentage Children <18 Years Who Regularly* Took Prescription Medication***
12.7%, or 1 in 8 children, regularly took some type of prescription medication. As much as I rant and rave, and despite the idea that more and more people are wanting to "go natural," it is apparent that society is moving towards a drug mentality. That is truly the barometer for the mindset of a society. If these children are taught that, if something is wrong with you there is a drug to fix it they will most likely not hesitate in the future for the same answer. The responsibility of this lies squarely on the shoulders of the parents.
***Headache, cerebrovascular symptoms, and stroke***
Headaches, regardless of the type or label, are an indication of something wrong. Whether physiology is imbalanced, whether the body is toxic and the brain is revolting, whether the headache has a musculoskeletal cause. There is nothing "normal" about a headache. Covering up the symptoms with medication without truly addressing the problem should be considered malpractice, but unfortunately it is the standard of care. This article once again perfectly illustrates this concept. The patient with migraine w/ aura is put on drugs to stop the migraine, and yet, in the background, the patient's risk of stroke symptoms goes up 5 and a 1/2 times. This is NOT good medicine. It also further illustrates that migraines are a manifestation of a systemic problem and need to be addressed through lifestyle changes that will also lower their risk of strokes.
***Contributions of Depression and Inflammatory Markers to Heart Disease***
When we talk about true wellness, we are not just talking about eating better and exercising. True wellness encompasses spirituality, stress reduction as well as psychological health. This article finds a relationship between depression and increased CRP, interleukin 6 and ICAM 1-all markers of inflammation. And, given that inflammation has been linked to most chronic diseases, you can do the math from there.
***Effects of an ad libitum low-glycemic load diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese young adults***
Remember that the AHA diet focuses on low fat eating. All of the research points towards the importance of healthy fats and low glycemic index foods. This study compared the two approaches. While weight loss was similar between the two, there was one finding that was shocking. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) leads to clotting. Higher levels means more tendency to clot and greater risk of heart attacks. It is strongly associated with insulin resistance. In this study, the patients on the low glycemic index diet had a 39% decrease in PAI-1. Pretty darn commendable. The AHA type diet? A 33% INCREASE!!! That just says it all, doesn't it?
***Evening intake of alpha-lactalbumin increases plasma tryptophan availability and improves morning alertness and brain measures of attention***
While the Ambien ads may not give you this impression, there are several well known causes for problems falling asleep. One can be a stress related increase in evening cortisol leading to increased arousal at night which can make sleep difficult. Managing stress and nutritional approaches to lowering cortisol can help here. Another reason is altered serotonin levels. Serotonin has many functions, one of which is to sedate and help initiate sleep. Tryptophan is a large neutral amino acid (LNAA) that gets converted to serotonin. The problem with this is that, if there is alot of competition from other LNAAs tryptophan loses and doesn't cross to blood brain barrier to get converted to serotonin where we need it. This study looks at this pathway by using alpha lactoalbumin to circumvent this competition. The results are pretty good.
***Fracture Prevention With Vitamin D Supplementation***
The issue of vitamin D deficiency is another one that I frequently hop on a soap box over. The problem is that estimates range as high as 75% of the population is deficient-mostly from a demonizing of sunlight to dangerous extremes. Most researchers are now pushing for higher levels of vitamin D into the 2000 IU range. This study finds that the current RDA, 400 IU, is NOT effective at helping bone, but higher dosages do protect bone.
***Estrogenic chemicals in plastic and oral contraceptives disrupt development of the fetal mouse prostate and urethra***
The amount of evidence mounting on the potential negative effects of certain lifestyles and chemical exposure in utero is becoming quite long. While this is a mouse study, it does begin to indicate that certain xenoestrogens exposed to the developing fetus may predispose to prostate problems much later in life.
***Diverse Biology of the Gut Featured in Science***
While this is not an original article, it is a must read for those who still agree with the American Cancer Society's strong push for a "cure" while forgoing the obvious and well researched routes of prevention as it relates to cancers of the GI tract. There is really not longer any question that lifestyle plays a major role in the development of many types of cancer, and this overview really supports MY view....(otherwise I would've just deleted it...)
While this is not an original article, it is a must read for those who still agree with the American Cancer Society's strong push for a "cure" while forgoing the obvious and well researched routes of prevention as it relates to cancers of the GI tract. There is really not longer any question that lifestyle plays a major role in the development of many types of cancer, and this overview really supports MY view....(otherwise I would've just deleted it...)
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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