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February 27, 2002 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Acetyl-L-carnitine, lipoic acid improves metabolic function, oxidation
Lipoic acid was originally used and well known for its effects on hepatoprotection and yet recently has shown strong benefits in normalizing blood sugar in an insulin-independent action. Now we see that lipoic acid has additional benefits along with acetyl-L-carnitine, a nutrient that helps shuttle fatty acids into and out of the mitochondria for use in energy production. PNAS -- Abstracts: Hagen et al. 99 (4): 1870
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Caffeine Can Decrease Insulin Sensitivity in Humans
This is a biggie!! Coffee is unquestionably abused heavily here in the US. Although most practitioners have hopefully never views this as a anything but an unhealthy practice, we now have additional reasons to make sure our patients are avoiding coffee. With any coffee drinker, a physician must always look at why the patient is drinking the coffee; many times it is as an energy boost. In this case adrenal function must be assessed and supported. I know I am singling out coffee and not bashing tea, but I firmly believe that tea has other components in it that override the potential adverse effects of the caffeine. Dia Care -- Abstracts: Keijzers et al. 25 (2): 364
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Low seafood in early pregnancy as risk factor for preterm delivery
There is now a wealth of evidence pointing to the importance of essential fatty acids, most noteably DHA and EPA in normal brain development. This article looks at the benefits from another angle. However, always remember that, when choosing your source of fish to stick with cold water deep fish to lower risk of exposure to heavy metals and other "junk" that is filling our waters. I personally always try to stay away from fresh water fish and eating canned tuna more than every few weeks. bmj.com Abstracts: Olsen and Secher 324 (7335): 447
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Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia by Transferrin Receptor–Ferritin
Diagnosis of iron deficiency has always been a little less than perfect. Too many times I have seen patient's lab results for serum iron come back normal and the patient is not evaluated further. Remember that serum iron is the last level to drop in the bloodstream, long after iron stores have begun to be depleted. This article gives us a better tool to use in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. Also, keep in mind that stomach acid is needed for proper absorption of iron and that vitamin C helps facillitate the absorption of iron. Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the Elderly by Transferrin Receptor-Ferritin Index
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Metformin and Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Although this commentary states that the average time to develop a B12 deficiency with this diabetic drug is 10 to 15 years, this can still be an important factor for any patient on this medication for many years. I'm sure this is compounded by poor absorption of B12 in the elderly due to low levels of stomach acid. At any rate, B12 deficiency is very prevalent at varying degrees of severity, and any elderly patients should be considered for evaluation or supplementation with this cheap and safe supplement. Many studies have supported high dosages in the elderly population (2,000 mcg) to override the poor absorption. Metformin and Vitamin B12 Deficiency
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Relation between high glycemic load, plasma CRP
Just recently I relayed a story of one of my patients that had a CRP level of 35 mg/L (<5 considered normal) that was lowered in less than three months to 8 mg/L just by eliminating refined carbs. With any patient, with any condition, eliminating refined carbs and added sugar is always the first recommendation I make. No other single recommendation can have such a broad based, beneficial effect on health. AJCN -- Abstracts: Liu et al. 75 (3): 492
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Long-term vitamins, carotenoids and cataracts
This study shows a benefit of carotenoids (remember that beta-carotene is but one of hundreds of carotenoids that nature gives us) and Vit C on preventing cataracts. I would personally add bioflavenoids such as bilberry extract to this list. This is no great surprise, considering that many fruits and vegetables are heavily exposed to sunlight and have developed their own methods of preventing oxidative damage from UV exposure. When we eat these compounds, this confers that protective ability on our tissues as well. AJCN -- Abstracts: Taylor et al. 75 (3): 540
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Low dietary magnesium increases supraventricular ectopic heartbeats
Magnesium is one of those nutrients that most Western diets are deficient in. This is unfortunate because magnesium has consistently shown to lower risk of and subsequent damage in heart attacks. Intravenous magnesium, although infrequently used in a hospital setting, has been shown to lower the infarct (dead tissue) size of the heart following ischemic attack with no side effects and very little cost. AJCN -- Abstracts: Klevay and Milne 75 (3): 550
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