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April 12, 2001 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Enhanced Progression of Early Carotid Atherosclerosis & C pneumoniae
We are starting to see more and more evidence that an infectious etiology plays a part in heart disease. I believe that this is a big reason why mainstream medicine has such a problem with heart disease; there is no "one cause, one cure." Inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, oxidation of cholesterol, high homocysteine, infections...the list is quite long. An approach to heart disease prevention needs to be comprehensive and address all these factors. Putting on blinders and lowering only high blood pressure or cholesterol is not good enough. Circulation -- Abstracts: Sander et al. 103 (10): 1390 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/10/1390
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is Associated With Endothelial Dysfunction
Insulin is the key player in this relationship. Insulin is known to shunt away from estrogen production over to testerone production. This elevated testerone is known to be a risk factor for PCOS. Managing insulin levels can be one of the most important things to do for controling a wide variety of disease states. Circulation -- Abstracts: Paradisi et al. 103 (10): 1410 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/10/1410
Randomized Trial of Folic Acid and Serum Homocysteine Levels
The results of this article are not surprising. What is surprising is the levels of folic acid needed to maximize homocysteine reduction. 800 mg. This is a relativeley high dose and one that you will almost never find in most multivitamins. The best of the multis usually contain around 400 mg. Personally, I would always recommend plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in addition to a high quality multi. I believe this will round out to the 800 mg found in this study. Randomized Trial of Folic Acid Supplementation and Serum Homocysteine Levels http://archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/v161n5/abs/ioi00333.html
Exogenous hyperinsulinaemia on VLDL composition in normal subjects
This study finds that exogenous insulin (from outside the body such as what diabetics inject) will produce unfavorable changes in cholesterol composition. This brings to mind a conversation I had with a diabetic representing the ADA at a health fair. She felt that it was okay to eat high glycemic foods because all she had to do was inject her fast-acting isulin and she would be okay. She just didn't get it. Insulin itself, in high levels, is a dangerous hormone. This article points out just one potentially damaging effect of insulin therapy. Synergy : European Journal of Clinical Investigation 31 (2), 118-124 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/eci/2001/31/2/abstract_eci779.asp?journal=eci&issueid=4813&artid=93502&cid=eci.2001.1& ftype=abstracts
The alpha-amino group of l-arginine mediates its antioxidant effect
Arginine is becoming an important aspect of treatment of cardiovascular disease. This has previously been believed to be due to its effect on NO production (arginine is a NO donor); but this article suggests additional protection via an antioxidant action. Synergy : European Journal of Clinical Investigation 31 (2), 98-102 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/eci/2001/31/2/abstract_eci771.asp?journal=eci&issueid=4813&artid=93496&cid=eci.2001.1& ftype=abstracts
Peyer's patches are required for oral tolerance to proteins
Oral tolerance is a method of treating certain diseases, most commonly allergies, by which a small amount of a substance that the patient is sensitive to is taken orally. This substance than is exposed to the immune system centered around the GI tract, and the immune system downregulates the response to this substance (tells the rest of the body that this substance is okay). This approach has also been used with rheumatoid arthritis patients with very good results. PNAS -- Abstracts: Fujihashi et al. 98 (6): 3310 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/6/3310
Alzheimer's patients have reduced activities in midlife
There are more and more ways to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's that are showing up in the literature. Overall, it appears that AD is an inflammatory process, and lowering your overall levels of inflammation is a good approach to lower your risk. Knowing that exercise can favorably affect inflammation, this fits well with this research study. PNAS -- Abstracts: Friedland et al. 98 (6): 3440 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/6/3440
Sensitisation, asthma, Th2 response in children exposed to cat allergen
I'm sure there has been many a crying young child whose beloved pets have been removed from the home in an attempt to help prevent asthmatic or allergic attacks, and yet numerous studies have actually shown a protective effect from this exposure. Dogma lives on... The Journal : Back Issues http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol357/iss9258/abs/llan.357.9258.original_research.15452.1