April 8, 2002 Research Update

James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiropractic.com
www.lifecarechiropractic.com

Addition of Omega-3 Fatty Acid to Meds for Depressive Disorder

While this is only a small study, I feel that it is incredibly important. I know that in my office I see many patients on pschoactive drugs. Many of these patients experience weight gain as a side effect, and are frequently bounced around between meds to see which "works best." This study uses fish oil as an adjunct to pharmaceutical intervention. How about using fish oil as one tool in the package to include dietary changes and exercise? I think we would find management of depression in this way much more effective with little or no adverse effects.

American Journal of Psychiatry -- Abstracts: Nemets et al. 159 (3): 477

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Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Celiac Disease

Allergy to gluten, a storage protein found in several grains (most notably wheat), has been all over the medical literature lately. Here we see a 3x increased risk for NHL. We need to start evaluating more regularly for celiac disease. Currently, a blood test called transglutaminase is one of the best ways to evaluate for this condition.

Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Celiac Disease

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Zinc Deficiency Inhibits Chondrocyte Proliferation

If you have been following Research Updates for awhile now, you will remember several articles in the past that have linked osteoarthritis to systemic factors instead of the old mainstay of "wear and tear." This article would support this further and suggest that any approach to arthritis needs to address nutritional needs as well as local factors at the joints. Avoidance of nightshade veggies (green pepper, tomato, potato...), identification of food allergies and supporting proper digestion are all other approaches that play a large role in managing arthritits.

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Wang et al. 132 (4): 665

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Almonds & Its Oil Have Similar Effects on Lipids and LDL Oxidation

Most nuts and seeds have favorable effects on lipids, despite their high fat content. The fats in most nuts and seeds are monounsaturated, which has consistently been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. This article does answer an interesting question--does the oil extracted from almonds retain its beneficial effects on lipids? The answer, in this case is yes. However, I still will stick with my whole foods ideology--eat the whole nuts instead. It's a very good chance that Mother Nature threw some other stuff in the rest of the nut that we haven't discovered yet...

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Hyson et al. 132 (4): 703

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3 Months of Antimicrobials in Acute Non–Q-Wave Coronary Syndrome

This article throws more weight in the infective etiology of cardiovascular disease. However, before you run to your cardiologist and ask for antibiotics (which will disturb normal flora in the GI tract and create other imbalances worse than your risk for CVD), remember that a natural approach to CVD is multifactorial. All the recommendations I give to lower risk of heart disease will also stimulate the immune response and address infectious agents from the inside.

Circulation -- Abstracts: Sinisalo et al. 105 (13): 1555

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Lactobacillus for Acute Infectious Diarrhea in Children: A Meta-analysis

Gosh, I just love meta-analysis that supports stuff we've been saying for years. This study shows a reduction in length of diarrhea by .7 days. Not much, but for a therapy that may lower future risk of infectious diarrhea and is very inexpensive, I'll take it!!

Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Van Niel et al. 109 (4): 678

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Vit C and E on progression of transplant-associated arteriosclerosis

It's nice to see clinical studies on more realistic levels of nutrients (Vit C at 1000 mg and Vit E at 800 IU). Chalk this one up in the "benefits and vitamin C" column along with the several thousand others (as opposed to the lonely "harmful effects of vitamin C" column with only a handful...)

The Journal : Back Issues

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Breastfeeding Is Analgesic in Healthy Newborns

Not that we need any additional research to show support for breastfeeding over formula, but I thought this was interesting. Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Gray et al. 109 (4): 590

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