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February 17, 2003 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Low-T3 Syndrome - Strong Predictor of Death from Heart Disease
It's nice to see some researchers focusing on T3. Keep in mind that the thyroid produces mainly T4, which has a much lower activity than T3. The T4 makes it to the target tissues such as liver and muscle and gets converted to T3 where it's needed. Well, that conversion is dependent upon several factors (nutritional, cortisol levels, estrogen levels...) and many people with thyroid problems are given synthetic T4 (synthroid, levothyroxine) and their blood levels look good but they still have all the signs and symptoms of hypothroidism. These people may underconvert T4 to T3.
Circulation -- Abstracts: Iervasi et al. 107 (5): 708
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Prevalence of Celiac Disease in At-Risk/Not-At-Risk Groups
This article finds a prevalence of 1 in 133 of celiac disease. Celiac disease is an allergy to the gluten protein in grains that results in a wide variation of manifestations from GI problems to neurological problems to increased Alzheimer's risk. Considering that the consequences associated with celiac disease can be great and the prevalence is so high, clinicians need to increase their awareness of this condition.
Prevalence of Celiac Disease in At-Risk and Not-At-Risk Groups in the United States: A Large Multicenter Study
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Major Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Women
This falls into the "how much did we pay for this??" study. What chronic disease does a Westernized lifestyle NOT increase your risk for??
Major Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Women
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Are Oxidative Stress-Activated Signaling Pathways Mediators of Insulin Resistance and ß-Cell Dysfunction?
This article finds that reactive oxygen species (i.e. free radicals) are a result of elevated glucose levels, and these ROS than damage DNA, proteins and lipids. This damage than starts a snowball effect killing off beta cells of the pancreas and leading to the damage we associate with diabetes. This would suggest that antioxidant supplementation (N-acetylcysteine, Vit E, Vit C, CoQ10...) would be important nutrients for any patient with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.
Diabetes -- Abstracts: Evans et al. 52 (1): 1
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Increased risk of thyroid cancer among women with hysterectomies
The rate of hysterectomies is surprisingly high. Personally, I believe that it is much easier for obstetricians to just remove the "offending" organ rather than balance out the physiology that is unbalanced. Hormonal problems are very common and can be strongly related to lifestyle factors. With this study, we see that risk of thyroid cancer is increased for the two years after hysterectomy w/ bilateral ovary removal (oopherectomy). To me, this means that, whatever was causing the female problems was not fixed by the surgery (big shocker...), and that imbalance of physiology or toxicity also was toxic to the thyroid.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Online
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Black currants, lingonberries, bilberries increases serum quercetin
Berries are strong sources of antioxidant protection. If you consider that the berry is exposed to much sunlight and needs a way to protect itself from oxidative damage from so much sunlight, the berry has developed substances to protect itself. When we eat these berries, we gain that same protection. Too bad for those people on the Atkins' diet...
Consumption of black currants, lingonberries and bilberries increases serum quercetin concentrations
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Mucosal block phenomenon of iron absorption
I was not aware that a large dose of iron would reduce the absorption of the next dose. This information is important to know, especially in seniors with hypochlorhydria (reduced stomach acid) and anemia because iron can be difficult to absorb. This means iron should be given in smaller dosages more often. Taking iron with meals and with vitamin C will facilitate iron's absorption.
Gut -- Abstracts: Frazer et al. 52 (3): 340
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Ratio between IL-8 and pepsinogen A/C: marker for atrophic gastritis
Atrophic gastritis is the wearing away of the portion of the stomach that contains the parietal cells--the cells that produce stomach acid. This article finds that markers in the blood can identify patients with this condition. This makes things very, very interesting in a time with the "purple pill" that is advertised everywhere totally shuts down acid production (it wasn't important anyway...). Next time a physician suggests you go on acid suppressive therapy, ask him/her for this test. Despite popular opinion (and contrary to medical research and clinical presentations) most people make less and less stomach acid as we get older, making acid suppressive therapy baseless.
Synergy Abstract
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