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December 17, 2001 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Frequency of eating and concentrations of serum cholesterol
This study finds that the more frequent someone eats, the lower their cholesterol. Knowing that insulin directly stimulates HMG-CoA reductase (the major route of cholesterol production in humans), and knowing that smaller, more frequent meals stablizes insulin levels, this study is no great shocker. Still interesting, though... bmj.com Abstracts: Titan et al. 323 (7324): 1286 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/323/7324/1286
Dietary Antioxidants Do Not Reduce Carotid Atherosclerosis Risk
When I first read this title I was a little surprised. Strangely enough, when I went to the original journal article, the findings show that antioxidants DO protect against atherosclerosis, namely dietary Vit E and lycopene. The effect was not great, but these nutrients are only one small part of a program towards good cardiovascular health. The other antioxidants studied (Vit A, C and beta-carotene) did not show an effect. How could a major reporting agency come up with the title shown above when the results are clearly the opposite. The bias here almost sickens me. Medicine Direct http://www.cardiosource.com/journal/journal/article?acronym=JAC&format=abstract&uid=PIIS073510970101676X
Butyrate, cytokines and intestinal epithelial cells
Butyrate is one of the short chain fatty acids produced when beneficial bacteria digest soluble fiber in the gut. Much research has supported the beneficial effects of butyrate on colonocytes. These benefits include stabilization of intestinal permeability, increased colonocyte differentiation (= lowered risk of cancer) and now anti inflammatory effects. The combination of probiotics and soluble fiber should be a first line approach for any GI problems. Synergy : European Journal of Clinical Investigation 31 (12), 1060-1063 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/eci/2001/31/12/abstract_eci927.asp?journal=eci&issueid=7993&artid=145514&cid=eci.2001.12&ftype=abstracts
Advanced glycation end-products on PMN superoxide production
To put this in English, abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood stream will irreversibly damage proteins, a process called glycosylation. PMNs are white blood cells that help fight off bacterial infections; they do this by ingesting the bacteria and destroying them with a compound called superoxide. Thus, this study connects the link between diabetics and increased suseptability to bacterial infections. I would widen the net to dysglycemic patients as well; these patients will also have elevated glucose and insulin levels. Synergy : European Journal of Clinical Investigation 31 (12), 1064-1069 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/eci/2001/31/12/abstract_eci911.asp?journal=eci&issueid=7993&artid=145509&cid=eci.2001.12&ftype=abstracts
Imperfect vaccines and the evolution of pathogen virulence
This issue has been of some concern lately, especially with the measles vaccine. The body's immunity to an infection (active immunity) is much stronger than that derived from vaccination (passive immunity). This could cause problems if a particularly virulent strain of infectious disease comes along that the passive immunity is not strong enough to handle. Imperfect vaccines and the evolution of pathogen virulence http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v414/n6865/abs/414751a_fs.html
Coenzyme Q10 in Isolated Systolic Hypertension
I just love results like this!! An isolated nutrient like CoQ10 giving an average of 18 point reduction in systolic blood pressure is amazing. Remember that any good natural approach to hypertension would also include exercise, avoidance of refined carbs, increased intake of monounsaturated fats, hawthorne, calcium, magnesium and potassium. There was also a recent study of medically supervised water-only fasting that had dramatic results in lowering blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure naturally is very possibly but needs a strong committment on the part of the patient. November 2001 SMJ http://www.sma.org/smj2001/novsmj01/index.htm#burke
Medically supervised water-only fasting for hypertension
This is the article noted above. The results of this study still shock me. 60 point reduction in blood pressure in patients with stage 3 hypertension. Just incredible. There's no drugs on the market that boast these same results. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Online http://www.harcourthealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=a115263&nav=abs
Legume Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
This is another of those "how much did we spend on this?" studies. We've known for a long time that the nutrients as well as the soluble fiber found in beans are benefical to all aspects of health. Someone just decided that we needed a study to quanitify the effects. Couldn't we have spent the money somewhere else? Legume Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in US Men and Women: NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study http://archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/v161n21/abs/ioi10003.html