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December 12, 2002 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Mercury levels, metabolism in infants receiving vaccines w/ thiomersal
This article evaluates the levels of mercury found in the blood and stool (with the stool levels reflective of excretion) in 2 and 6 month olds. The study states that vaccination does not raise blood levels above "safe" levels. A few things to consider here... First, would anyone out there like to show their faith in the Federal beaurocracy's "safe" levels by voluntarily taking in enough mercury to stay at these levels for at least one month? Next, vaccinations are supposed to be helpful to the infants, correct? So why would we use any mercury, which is a known and potent neurotoxin, in something designed to protect? I don't care who says it's safe--it damn well shouldn't be in there. Keep in mind that the only reason thiomersal is used (other than additional profit) is to extend the shelf life of larger vials.
The Journal : Current Issue
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Metabolic Syndrome and Total & CVD Disease Mortality in Middle-aged Men
I've had many patients in my office ask why their PCP did not mention Syndrome X in regards to their abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and why they are on separate meds when managing insulin levels may be the smarter route to take. I've never had a good answer, and now with the term showing up with greater frequency in the top few general medicine journals, the lack of acknowledge should now border on malpractice. Period. This article shows an increase in all cause mortality of up to 4x (depending upon guidelines used to diagnose). Four times more likely to die. With a prevalence up to 14% in the general population (and some other estimates up to 25%). Forget public smoking bans...THIS IS WHAT IS KILLING US!!!
The Metabolic Syndrome and Total and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Middle-aged Men
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Importance of Equol—A Clue to Effectiveness of Soy Isoflavones
We see a familar concept here. Soy isolflavones need to be acted on by beneficial bacteria in the gut to produce equol--a nonsteroidal estrogen-like compound that is believed to be one of the most potent antioxidants in this class. This may explain some of the discrepancies in soy benefit studies and is further proof for a holistic approach to health that would include lifestyle changes to support healthy bacterial flora. We see this same concept with soluble fiber and colon cancer--the fiber needs to be acted on by beneficial bacteria to produce butyrate to protect the colonocytes.
nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Setchell et al. 132 (12): 3577
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DNA Methylation and Diet in Cancer
This is such an important concept to grasp and is probably one of the more important biological processes that occurs that relates to health and longevity. Jeffrey Bland, PhD, describes methylation as the paper clip on DNA that keeps that area of the DNA from being exposed to the environmental toxins as well as keeping that DNA from being transcribed (even though a liver cell has DNA to be a brain cell, this does not happen because the liver's "brain DNA" is methylated and kept quiet). The more DNA is exposed to toxins, the greater the likelihood of damage and subsequent errors in cell division (i.e. tumors). Some methylation is an incredibly important process and is supported by folic acid, Vit B12 and Vit B6 which provide the free methyl group needed for methylation.
nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Johanning et al. 132 (12): 3814S
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Folic acid enhances endothelial function and reduces BP in smokers
While this is a neat concept, the important item I wanted to point out was the dose of folic acid used--5 mg. That is over 10 X the current dosage recommended for women of child bearing age to lower risk of neural tube defects. Really starts putting into perspective just how useless the RDAs of vitamins are, huh?
Synergy Abstract
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Combined Vit E and C Use and Risk of CVD Mortality
This is a letter of reply to an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that compared Vit C, E and a combination of the two on CVD mortality and proudly annouced in the conclusion that there was no benefit and there may actually be an increased risk. The nice thing about editorials are that they are generally written by clinicians and researchers entrenched in that particular topic, and the authors of the original article are invited to reply and support/rebut the letter. It really gives additional insight into an article and it's nuances and details. This letter actually points out that Vit C and E seemed to have a pretty strong protective effect against the development of CVD. This study was done on patients with already existing CVD.
Combined Vitamin E and Vitamin C Supplement Use and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality
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Outbreak of Varicella at a Day-Care Center despite Vaccination
This study points to one of the major issues with the vaccination debate. This infection was seeded with a child who had been vaccinated and spread it to fifty percent of his classmates. First of all, if the child was vaccinated, how could they possibly have gotten chicken pox?? Because, despite common belief, vaccinations do not provide complete protection (in some cases not even close). In addition, after hearing the advertising push for the vaccinations last year, I am surprised that no children died. The advertising made it sound like chicken pox was a life threatening condition with poor, innocent children dropping left and right. Fortunately, this is not even close to the truth. I'm sure many of you reading this had chicken pox as a child. The point is that we are pushing for vaccinations for diseases that only rarely cause severe outcomes, and the "treatment" for the condition may actually be worse than the disease itself.
NEJM -- Abstracts: Galil et al. 347 (24): 1909
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Avenin fails to induce Th1 response in coeliac tissue
The debate has been extensive as to whether oats are safe for patients with coeliac disease (a condition in which the body reacts to the protein gliaden, which is most abundant in wheat). Most articles seem to support the idea that oats are safe for patients with coeliac disease.
Gut -- Abstracts: Kilmartin et al. 52 (1): 47
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Abnormal Cortisol Metabolism, Tissue Sensitivity to Cortisol in Glucose Intolerance
Cortisol is the body's stress hormone. It was designed to produce a heightened state of awareness in our bodies when a predator was near. Unfortunately, in today's high stress society, there are no predators to identify and our bodies can enter into a state of chronic stress with hypercortisolemia. This elevated cortisol, much like insulin, wreaks havoc on many aspects of physiology. Here we see additional confirmation that cortisol produces abnormal glucose metabolism (and hence increased insulin resistance), obesity and hypertension. Yes, stress does kill. Slowly...
JCEM -- Abstracts: Andrews et al. 87 (12): 5587
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