December 29, 2004 Research Update

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

Cancer-preventive isothiocyanates: dichotomous modulators of oxidative stress

This is an interesting article that makes you stop and think. The findings of this study suggest that, in this particular instance of dietary thiols (present in compounds like broccoli) the protection make actually be a result of insulting the physiology and increasing oxidative stress. The protection conferred comes into play as the body reacts to the oxidative stress. Pretty confusing, huh? My comments on this would extend to the importants of synergists and eating a variety of different healthy foods. Providing the body with the nutrients and compounds needed to fight oxidative stress can ensure that this process is entirely protective and not damaging.

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Pro-oxidant activity of aluminum in the rat hippocampus: gene expression of antioxidant enzymes after melatonin administration

Maybe I'm just looking, but it seems like there's been an awful lot of research on melatonin lately. I had previously just considered melatonin as a sleep aid, and did not consider it as an antioxidant. However, with the current literature supporting an oxidative stress/mitochondrial dysfunction etiology for seizures, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative disorders, I have begun to look at melatonin in a much different light with great therapeutic potential.

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Heavy Metal Content of Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine Products

The fact that some commercially available product contains contaminants does not surprise me, but the fact that they found heavy metal contaminants in 20% does shock me a little. But the message remains the same--supplements are not all created equal. Spending a little bit more for a higher quality product is almost always a good investment.

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Prevention and treatment of macroangiopathy: focusing on oxidative stress

My wife thinks I'm a little overboard on this whole oxidative stress/mitochondrial dysfunction kick, but the research is really heading towards this physiological problem being a major contributor to many (if not all?) chronic diseases. Here we see alpha-lipoic acid protecting the blood vessels of type 2 diabetics by an antioxidant mechanism.

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Increased oxidative stress in obesity and its impact on metabolic syndrome

I'm really not making this stuff up. Remember that the mitochondria are our cell's source of energy production. In the process of creating ATP for energy, free electrons (termed free radicals) are formed that, by themselves, create damage to DNA, cellular machinery and cell membranes. In addition, free radicals participate in other reactions with compounds like nitric oxide that produce incredibly damaging compounds. This problem is further worsened by the fact that the DNA of the mitochondria (remember that mitochondria has its own DNA separate from the cell's DNA) is very close to these damaging compounds and the repair mechanisms of the mitochondria are nowhere near as good as the cell's ability to repair its DNA. Luckily, the cell has many compounds that protect against free radicals--glutathione, melatonin, Vit C, Vit E, alpha lipoic acid..... But, what if the mitochondria was producing so many free radicals that the protective compounds couldn't keep up? Or if the person's diet was producing low levels of these protective compounds? The end result is in too much damage to the mitochondria and ultimately the cell.

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***Association Between Cardiovascular Outcomes and Antihypertensive Drug Treatment in Older Women

I recently reviewed the current version of the Hippocritic Oath. The phrase "abstain from whatever is harmful or mischievous" is used is this oath. It also mentions keeping current with new medical therapies and research. How far we have come. This study is, unfortunately, another example of a medical approach that, for many years, was considered helpful. When the research is finally done properly, it turns out we're killing patients instead of helping them. Contrast this with affecting insulin resistance or water only fasting for hypertension. The only adverse affects to these treatments would be lowered risks of diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimers, certain types of cancers... Hardly and undesirable list of "side effects," huh?

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Are oral contraceptive use and pregnancy complications risk factors for atopic disorders among offspring?

I have mentioned repeatedly that we are programming our next generation while they are still in the womb, and research continues to support this. Couple this with lack of/shortened breast feeding, poor dietary choices and overuse of antibiotics and it's no wonder our kids' physiologies are screwed up. I must admit, when I first saw a link with the BCP and increased risk I was a little surprised. But, knowing that BCP contributes to insulin resistance, might this be the real pathway that the increased risk is conferred? The increased risk was 1.8 times--quite a big influence.

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gamma-Tocopherol or combinations of vitamin E forms induce cell death in human prostate cancer cells

This is one of the reasons why I get so frustrated when the media releases the results that Vit E increases mortality. The benefits of Vit E have been proven again and again in many different conditions over the years. Remember that natural approaches are not done in a vaccuum. Different compounds found in Nature all help in their own little ways, but the cumulative benefit can be astounding. This study confirms this philosophy be finding synergistic effects from mixed Vit E formulations (remember, Vit E is a tocopherol, and there are several different forms of tocopherol, of which Vit E as is generally found in supplements is only one).

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L-5-Hydroxytryptophan treatment of sleep terrors in children

This one came as a pleasant surprise. 5-HTP gets converted to serotonin which then has an effect on many neurologic stuff such as sleep. Although it was a small study, 84% of the children taking the 5-HTP were free of their night terrors by 6 months with no side effects seen. Might these sleep terrors be a precursor or sign of altered serotonin synthesis that may lead to depression or addictive behaviors in the future? I would like to see a study looking at that relationship.

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Migraine: Associations with Rose angina and coronary heart disease

Another chapter in the continuing saga of oxidative stress and migraines. Previously, we have seen that fixing heart defects that may have lowered the level of oxygen getting to the brain helping with migraines. We have seen some of the migraine medications actually having antioxidant effects. Now we see a relationship with migraines and angina. There is a condition out there called cardiac syndrome X (not to be confused with plain ole' syndrome X/hypersinsulinemia) that the research points to being related to temporary oxidative stress producing cardiac chest pain. The plot between migraines and oxidative stress/mitochondrial dysfunction thickens...

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