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December 31, 2001 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Combination bacteriolytic therapy for treatment of tumors
I thought the concept behind this experimental procedure was incredibly interesting and shows the potential that medicine can produce if we try to use the things nature gave us without modifiying them. PNAS -- Abstracts: Dang et al. 98 (26): 15155 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/26/15155
HRT - Fact or Fiction??
This is an excellent editorial on the rampant use of HRT in medicine. The article uses well referenced material to basically state that there is a paucity of evidence to support the use of HRT in peri and post-menopausal women and even less on the safety. So why are meds like Premarin so incredibly prevalent? The cynic that loves a Mac over an IBM would gladly give you the answer--good marketing... Remember that managing perimenopause does NOT require medications in the vast majority of women. Blunt the estrogen peaks with progesterone cream (downregulates the estrogen receptors) and fill in the valleys with some form of phytoestrogens (soy, black cohosh, licorice...). December 2001 SMJ http://www.sma.org/smj2001/decsmj01/index.htm
Regulation of cell cycle 16a-hydroxyestrone in breast cancer cells
The breakdown of estradiol (one of the three circulating estrogens in humans) can yield several pathways. The 2- pathway is generally considered beneficial and anti-carcinogenic, while the 16 pathway is considered damaging and carcinogenic. Promotion of the 2 pathway over the 16 is aided by the intake of substances found in cruciferous vegetables. There are now functional medicine labs checking 2/16 hydroxylation ratio to assess a woman's risk of breast cancer. J S LEWIS et al.: 16a-Hydroxyestrone and cell cycle regulation (Journal of Molecular Endocrinology) http://journals.endocrinology.org/jme/027/jme0270293.htm
Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Chronic Renal Failure
This study confirms previous studies on the increase in risk for renal failure with use of pain-modulating drugs. I would add to this list the use of NSAIDs as well, as an article several years back in this same journal found an increase with ibuprofen use. This previous study showed increased risk for LIFETIME consumption. That adds up quick by the time a child reaches 10 years of age. Hopefully this article will bring to light the dangers of many pain relievers. Too much attention has been focused on gastric ulcers and breakthrough bleeding leading to death. Let's not forget renal damage, joint damage, alterations in gut permeability and liver damage. NEJM -- Abstracts: Fored et al. 345 (25): 1801 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/345/25/1801
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors and the Antiplatelet Effects of Aspirin
This study finds that taking NSAIDs (specifically ibuprofen) and aspirin together can lower the potential blood thinning effects of aspirin. Considering that these two drugs are frequently taken together this does cause some concern. However, I still question the use of aspirin for both primary and secondary cardioprevention. Studies do indicate that risk of heart attacks may drop, but risk of stroke increases. I guess you need to decide which you would prefer. Personally, I would focus on some of the 10 or so other lifestyle factors that can lower risk of heart attack without increasing risk of other diseases. NEJM -- Abstracts: Catella-Lawson et al. 345 (25): 1809 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/345/25/1809
Hawthorn Fruit Is Hypolipidemic in Rabbits Fed a High Cholesterol Diet
Hawthorn is an herb that has been used extensively for many cardiac conditions for literally hundreds of years. This study indicates that it can now be added to the list of nutrients/herbs for high cholesterol. This would go along with avoidance of refined carbs, saturated fats, increased intake of nuts and other sources of monounsaturated fats, niacin, exercise and possibly red chinese yeast. nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Zhang et al. 132 (1): 5 http://www.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/132/1/5
Nutrition and Recommendations for Diabetes and Related Complications
This is the position statement by the ADA for the nutritional intervention in patients with diabetes. If this wasn't the ADA I would dismiss it as inconsequential. Unfortunately, this paper will be viewed as the bible by many physicians and diabetic patients. Interested in my take? Once again, the ADA has shown that governmental or high profile groups are over conservative to the point of being damaging. I could point out all the issues that I disagree with, but the entire position is here for you to read. I will point out a few of the issues I feel most strongly about. First, registered dieticians should be the primary source of nutritional education for diabetic patients. I'm going to go out on a limb and probably upset some people, but most RDs do not have the background in physiology, biochemistry and diagnosis to do much more than match a meal to the RDAs given by the government. There are some I have come across that have a tremendous background in these aspects, but far more often I see diabetic patients who were never educated about refined carbs and beneficial vs harmful fats. Second, this paper basically states that all carbs are created equal. What rock have these people been studying under? The lack of understanding in this statement alone makes it hard to stomach the rest of the paper.... Dia Care -- 25 (1): 202 http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/25/1/202
Most 10 Yr Olds w/ Negative/Unknown Histories of Chickenpox Immune
This article finds that nearly 2/3 of children in whom there was no history of chickenpox infection are immune to the disease. The authors estimate that, based on this information, 8.5% of children would need the vaccine. This seems to weigh heavily against the push for the varicella vaccine. Couple this with the very low incidence of severe complications with varicella infection and the argument for really starts to fall apart. Unfortunately, given the power of advertising, unsuspecting consumers listening to ads would assume their child is at high risk of both infection and subsequent hospitalization and/or death.
Pediatr Infect Dis J 2001;20:1087-1088 Contrary to widely held beliefs, most 10-year-old children with negative or unknown chickenpox histories are actually immune to varicella, according to a report by Canadian investigators. Dr. Bernard Duval, from Laval University in Quebec, and colleagues assessed the age-specific incidence of varicella among 2227 fourth grade students. A subset of children with negative or unknown chickenpox histories were tested for anti-varicella antibodies. The study was performed to determine the proportion of children that would need to be vaccinated in a catch-up program. The reported cumulative incidence of chickenpox at 10 years of age was 92%, the authors note. Furthermore, about half of the children developed chickenpox before entering kindergarten. Of the children with negative or unknown varicella histories, 63% had antibodies against the virus. Children with an unknown history were significantly more likely than those with a negative history to harbor anti-varicella antibodies (p = 0.002). In addition, children whose history was obtained by self-administered questionnaire rather than by a study nurse were more likely to demonstrate such antibodies (p = 0.023). If vaccination was based on the absence of a positive history of varicella, 8.4% of 10-year-old children would require vaccination, the researchers note. However, the current findings indicate that nearly two thirds of children without a positive history are actually immune. Prevaccination testing could identify children who are immune, but such testing could be difficult to implement and might reduce vaccine coverage. Follow-up telephone interviews with parents who report negative or unknown histories for their children may help identify children who are actually immune.