Lifecare Chiropractic
James Bogash, D.C.
1830 S. Alma School Rd
Bldg 7, Ste 135
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 839-CARE (2273)
Research Updates July 18, 2005
***Urinary tract infection in patients with acute coronary syndrome***
The association of infection with heart disease continues to grow. Whether the infection is urinary, periodontal or respiratory, the association continues to be shown. The infection, which can be a mild, low level infection without many symptoms, produces a constant activation of the immune system w/ subsequent inflammation. Given the relationship of inflammation to vascular disease, the end result is not surprising. Regardless, the recommendations remain the same--lifestyle changes geared towards lowering heart disease risks are the same ones that will boost the immune system.
***Support of Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Annual Physical Examination***
There is little evidence to suggest that the "annual physical" that so many deem important actually catches disease earlier, but the belief system of many primary care providers does not reflect the evidence. The whole thing boils back down to the truth--the ultimately responsibility for your health lies with you. Seeing your doctor or getting the occasional lab work done should just be done to monitor and make sure you're on the correct path to optimal health.
***Dietary fatty acids and the risk of Parkinson disease***
While the finding that healthier fats lower the risk of Parkinson's should be no surprise (most evidence is suggesting an inflammatory/mitochondrial dysfunction etiology for PD and Alzheimer's and healthy fats will have an anti-inflammatory effect), the level of protection was a little surprising. When looking at a hazard ratio, higher than 1.00 means an increased risk (a hazard ratio of 2.0 would mean a doubling of risk) and lower than 1.00 means a protective effect (.50 would mean half the risk). The hazard ratio found was 0.68 for monousaturated fat and 0.66 for polyunsaturated fats.
***Plasma Cytokine Levels in Migraineurs and Controls***
Speaking of inflammation, put migraines on the list of conditions associated w/ inflammation. The problem with this is that that makes migraines a local manifestation of a systemic problem. So, just treating the headache w/ pain meds does nothing the address the underlying inflammation, leaving the patient at increased risk of a hoard of other chronic diseases because this was not addressed. Lifestyle changes geared towards lowering inflammation HAS to be a part of any migraine treatment protocol.
***Migraine With Aura Related to Closure of Atrial Septal Defects***
While this is only a case report, and we generally do not allow single case studies to change clinical aproaches, this one brings up an important consideration. Research is starting to show a link between heart defects and migraines. Many patients find relief of their migraines when the hole in the heart is closed. But this is a case study of a patient that experienced a drastic increase in the frequency of her migraines after closure-a procedure that should show the opposite effect. But, looking at the big picture, it is very possible that the heart defect contributes to migraines by lowering the overall oxygen tension in the blood and/or reduced removal of diffusable toxins in the lungs (at least this is MY story...) affecting the mitochondria of the nervous system. However, anesthesia is well known to lower oxygen tension. It is highly likely that this patient's oxidative stress was worsened by the anesthesia, resulting in worsening of her migraines.
***Rye Bread Enhances the Production and Plasma Concentration of Butyrate but Not the Plasma Concentrations of Glucose and Insulin in Pigs***
Okay, so this is a pig study, but given what a large chunk of the US population eats.... Anyway, this study compared the effects on the GI tract and glycemic response of rye vs wheat and demonstrates beautifully that carbs are not all created equal. Basically, the fiber in rye was much stronger at stimulating butyrate production (which leads to healthier GI tracts and less cancer risk) as well as a much lower glycemic response in the bloodstream. However, this study used actual rye, not the highly processed "wheat bread disguised as rye" seen most often.
***Plant Stanol and Sterol Esters in the Control of Blood Cholesterol Levels: Mechanism and Safety Aspects***
Even though this title should surprise no one, the real shocker here is a cardiology journal dedicating AN ENTIRE ISSUE to this subject. Safe, effective and dirt cheap when compared with statin drugs and yet we hear virtually nothing from mainstream media on this topic. And yet statin drugs are handed out like candy based on recommendations to lower cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dl. These recommendations, however, come with a whole littany of dangerous side effects when approached using statins. Cholesterol levels really are pretty easy to drop (not to be confused w/ the elevated triglycerides seen w/ metabolic syndrome) and there are literally hundreds of natural products and foods that will bring levels down w/o side effects.
***American Medical Association rejects proposal to ban consumer adverts for prescription medicines***
Wow, now that one's a big shocker. If you pulled pharmaceutical funding out of the AMA and its journal, we'd see a rapid downward spiral. Why should we ban direct to consumer advertising for drugs? Hell, it works--study after study (not to mention the fact that the drug companies would not do it if it wasn't effective) proves that. Honestly, I would bet most practicing physicians do not like DTC advertising. Pt's many times come in thinking they need these drugs and physicians many times give in. However, Jeff Trewhitt seems to disagree w/ me when he says, "The AMA has made exactly the right call." But, being thathe is a spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, I think he loses some crediblity on what is a good call.
***Gastric achlorhydria in mice causes severe hyperplasia, mucocystic metaplasia and upregulation of growth factors***
I am a strong opponent to pharmacological therapy for acid suppression in almost every case. I've personally seen many patients respond very positively to actually supporting digestion instead of blocking it. I strongly feel that any doctor that prescribes acid suppressive therapy ought to damn well be able to give at least 8 functions of stomach acid and the potential ramifications on long term health if that stomach acid is suppressed. If they are unable, they have NO RIGHT making that prescription. Digestion is an incredibly fundamental part of our health, and with the chronic stress many our under in today's society, they are actually produce TOO LITTLE stomach acid. Suppress that further with drugs and you open up a Pandora's box of health problems. This mouse study finds an increase in precancerous activity with chronic acid suppression. Big surprise.
***Oxidized Phospholipids, Lp(a) Lipoprotein, and Coronary Artery Disease***
A quick review of biochemistry before we go on. LDL is generally considered the "bad" cholesterol but this view is archaic. The large, less dense LDL particles (called Type A) are much less damaging. It is believed that the lipids on this particle are easily removed in the liver, leaving mainly protein. On the other side of the coin is the small, dense LDL particles (called Pattern B). The main protein component of this small, dense LDL is apo B100. These show high correlations w/ CVD risk. Lipoprotein a or lp(a), is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. So, the researchers looked at the contribution of oxidized LDL (remember-cholesterol does not do damage to us until it gets damaged and becomes oxidized) and lp(a) together on the risk of CAD. The highest levels of either oxidized LDL or lp(a) in a patient with high cholesterol produced a staggerring odds ratio of 16.8 and 14.2 respectively. That means your risk is 16 TIMES AS HIGH. And, given that CVD is a top killer, this translates into some serious risk. The problem? Most clinicians probably are unaware of how to spell lp(a), let alone use it to assess risk.
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
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