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August 4, 2003 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Effects of a Dietary Portfolio of Cholesterol-Lowering Foods vs Lovastatin on Serum Lipids and CRP
The pharmaceutical companies are scrambling to find a drug that lowers CRP levels. Well--look no further--Mother Nature has provided us with the tools already. In this study we find that a mixed dietary approach at lowering cholesterol and CRP was as effective as lovastatin. I'm not being cynical here--I truly do wonder why a study like this published in JAMA does not get any press. Can the pharmaceutical influence be so powerful as to suppress this kind of info from the general public???
JAMA -- Abstracts: Jenkins et al. 290 (4): 502
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Trans10, cis12-conjugated linoleic acid prevents triacylglycerol accumulation in adipocytes by acting as a PPARgamma modulator
For those of us that drool over new biochemical findings, this one should provide quite a stream. The PPAR group of orphan receptors (area on DNA that turns on or off the expression of certain genes) are known to have effects on the utilization and storage of lipids. The newest, fanciest diabetic drugs effect this pathway. However, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been known to act on the PPAR receptors for awhile now. Interestingly, in nature CLA is a natural by-product of healthy intestinal flora acting upon fatty acids from ruminent animals' diets (found in grazing animals--not grain fed). So, we give our lifestock high doses of antibiotics and feed them corn oil which is high in omega-6. Not a good combo, huh??
J. Lipid Res. -- Abstracts: Granlund et al. 44 (8): 1441
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Gamma-Tocotrienol, a vitamin E homolog, is a natriuretic hormone precursor
This is just a reminder article that vitamin E actually has some potent cousins--the tocotrienols. These are compounds found in nuts and seeds. In this study, the authors found that gamma tocotrienol may have some diuretic properties.
J. Lipid Res. -- Abstracts: Saito et al. 44 (8): 1530
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Marginal Biotin Deficiency Is Teratogenic in ICR Mice
Although this is a mouse study, the implications can effect the way we view biotin. I remember reading in my nutrition book that biotin deficiency is almost unheard of. Well, as has happened many times in the past, new knowledge leads to new insights. This article finds that even a small biotin deficiency leads to birth defects. I'm assuming that most of the pharmaceutical prenatals don't contain biotin (hate to assume but couldn't find exact formulations on the web..). If they don't, it furthers drops their status on the list of high quality prenatals. Not that they had that far to drop to begin with...
nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Mock et al. 133 (8): 2519
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Olive Oil Isochromans Inhibit Human Platelet Reactivity
I know that I have a tendency to think of olive oil as a somewhat benign compound that provides omega-3 fatty acids and is part of a healthy lifestyle. However, this article and others like it remind me that there are other compounds in olive oil that contribute to good health beyond a good fatty acid profile. Keep in mind that, when it comes to olive oil, the first cold pressing contains the highest levels of phytochemicals. I usually recommend the extra extra virgin stuff for salad dressings and the plain old olive oil for cooking (the antioxidant compounds are broken down by the heat anyway).
nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Togna et al. 133 (8): 2532
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Zinc Deficiency Induces Oxidative DNA Damage and Increases P53 Expression
Sometimes we look far and wide for exotic compounds to lower our risk for cancer and we miss the ones starting us in the face. In our highly processed lives, many foods are deficient in zinc, leading to widespread zinc deficiency. Considering that zinc (and magnesuim) are involved in some very important and powerful enzyme systems, making sure we get enough of these minerals in our diets is a basic step for good health.
nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Ho et al. 133 (8): 2543
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Multivitamins Inversely Associated w/ Myocardial Infarction
I'm sure this really knocked everyone off their seats. One comment here--these studies do not differentiate between intake of high quality and poor quality supplements. I know that if we further evaluated the group that took a multi and subdivided these into high and low quality supplements, the results would have been even stronger.
nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Holmquist et al. 133 (8): 2650
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Antidepressant prescribing and suicide
There is a debate in the medical literature about the effect of antidepressants on suicide. It is beginning to show that there is no effect, and possibly and increased risk, of suicide with antidepressant use. Now, I'm not a counselor (and I would refer someone out if I thought it was necessary), but this would sure put a damper on my idea of having ANY patient put on antidepressants. I really do think that, in the psychiatric arena, we have thoroughly botched up the handling of patients with mental disorders. There is never any evaluation of whether or not there is a causative physiological imbalance (underactive hypothyroid, B12 deficiency for depression, heavy metal toxicity, imbalanced antioxidant status for schizophrenia....by the way, if anyone would like to argue that last point...I'd love to send you a ton of medical literature to back it up....) and even less of an attempt to correct the problem w/o drugs (exercise, therapy, fish oils...).
bmj.com Ankarberg 327 (7409): 288-c
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Association of Varicella Vaccine Failure w/ Asthma, Steroid Use, Age at Vaccination, and MMR
Just another little thing to think about when it comes to blindly following the status quo when it comes to immunzation. I just had a patient yesterday whose four year old got chicken pox. She exclaimed that he was vaccinated!! She now knows from firsthand experience that vaccination does not necessarily equal immunity. However, her son now has a natural immunity to chicken pox and will no longer have to worry when he's an adult.
Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Verstraeten et al. 112 (2): e98
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