August 23, 2001 Research Update

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

Gastric leptin and Helicobacter pylori infection

I was not aware that patients undergoing H. pylori eradication experienced weight gain, but this article gives us some insight as to why this may happen. I remain on the fence about H. pylori. A large body of literature does suggest an increase in esophageal disease since the eradication of H. pylori has become so mainstream. Some part of me deep down believes that this practice of eradication will prove harmful. Consider this...if H. pylori really is harmful and is not supposed to be there, than what biochemical defect has allowed this bug to grow in the stomach, which is a very harsh and difficult environment for bacteria? And does eradication fix this defect? I would think not. Maybe H. pylori is merely a marker for reduced vitamin C or stomach acid. Maybe if this defect was fixed, then H. pylori would go away all by itself... Gut -- Abstracts: Azuma et al. 49 (3): 324 http://gut.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/49/3/324

Oxidative stress is more important than acid in reflux oesophagitis

What a wonderful concept!! I cannot remember how many times I have had to explain to a near hostile listener in a group I'm speaking to that he or she has a very, very low likelihood of making too much stomach acid; in reality almost all of us make too little as we grow older. This article (which is a rat study) suggests that acid does not play the major role; rather, increased oxidative stress is the major player. This would suggest vitamin C, E, CoQ10 and other antioxidants may be more effective than acid-blockers for treatment of GERD. Gut -- Abstracts: Oh et al. 49 (3): 364 http://gut.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/49/3/364

COX-2 implications and gastric mucosal integrity, ulcer healing

This is an informative review article on the new wonderdrug arthritis meds, and the concept that maybe they are not so friendly to the gastric mucosa as they were marketed to be. Recently this class of drugs has also come under fire from the cardiology sector. Remember that, just like nature, there are no "wonder drugs." This applies even more to science's mutation of natural compounds. This class of drugs hit the ground running and created quite a profit for the two drug companies producing them. Unfortunately, it appears that most of the patients taking these drugs are guinea pigs when it comes to identifying the long term side effects and efficacy. Gut -- Abstracts: HALTER et al. 49 (3): 443 http://gut.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/49/3/443

Bacteriotherapy: the time has come

I can't begin the express the elation that I experience in reading this article. The concepts are nothing new (quite old, actually...), but to see this editorial in the British Medical Journal brings tears to my eyes. The concept that bacteria that provide beneficial biochemical actions and do not cause disease in humans (probiotics) can be used to "keep out" or even oust pathonogenic (disease-causing) bacteria is not theory. It works. GI infections. Vaginal yeast infections. Thrush. Prevention of Traveller's Diarrhea. Anecdotal evidence is staggerring and research evidence is mounting. The safety of probiotics compared to standard antibacterial and antifungal approaches is not even comparible. THIS is what Mother Nature intended. bmj.com Huovinen 323 (7309): 353 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7309/353

Chronic Insomnia Is Associated and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

This is a technical but interesting article on sleep disorders. The authors suggest that one type of insomnia is not insomnia at all, but rather a state of hyperarousal--the body is not yet ready to shut down. This occurs as a result of increased secretion of cortisol from the adrenal glands. This would indicate that a salivary profile for adrenocortical stress would be strongly indicated in any patients having difficulty falling asleep at night. We would also expect to see problems with estrogen/testosterone levels as the adrenals shunt precursors away from DHEA and over to production of cortisol. Nutritional intervention and exercise can be used to help bring these imbalances under control. JCEM -- Abstracts: Vgontzas et al. 86 (8): 3787 http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/86/8/3787

Constipation and the future risk of Parkinson's disease

Isn't this interesting? At this point no one is sure whether constipation is a sign of PD or whether constipation is a risk factor. Knowing what we know about the GI tract, however, would lead me to believe that the latter will turn out to be true. Much evidence points to the idea that methylation disorders contribute strongly to PD and that high dose folic acid and B12 may affect the progress of the disease. However, as with many other chronic disease, I am very sure that there is an inflammatory component to PD, and the GI tract is notorius for upregulating the immune system. Throw food allergies into the mix (which have been linked to constipation as well as brain lesions...) and there may be multiple pathways by which constipation could contribute to PD. Neurology -- Abstracts: Abbott et al. 57 (3): 456 http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/57/3/456

Cost-effectiveness of Vitamin Therapy to Lower Plasma Homocysteine Levels for the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

This article supports the use of fortification of processed grains with folic acid and B12 from a cost effectiveness standpoint. However, this is just another perfect example of science trying to best nature. I have a novel idea...how about saving the money used to fortify nutrient-stripped grains and use it to educate the difference between whole grains and refined carbs? That the concept of "enriched" does not mean better. That refined carbs increase risk of HTN, diabetes, many types of cancer, heart disease and just about everything else, while whole grains protect against all of these. So many times we want to throw money at the problem without fixing the underlying problem. Cost-effectiveness of Vitamin Therapy to Lower Plasma Homocysteine Levels for the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Effe http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v286n8/abs/joc10355.html

Should Immunonutrition Become Routine in Critically Ill Patients?

This study shows definate benefit in the reduction of infectious complications in critically ill patients. This shouldn't really be a question, however. The efficacy and safety of adding nutrients like arginine and glutamine is already well established (this article is a review of many studies). One of these days it will dawn on the powers that be that nutrition is an incredibly powerful tool to be used in human health and disease. Should Immunonutrition Become Routine in Critically Ill Patients?: A Systematic Review of the Evidence http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v286n8/abs/jce00035.html