February 5, 2001 Research Update

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

Protection from gastrointestinal diseases with the use of probiotics

Need I say more?? American Journal of Clinical nutrition, Feb 2001 has devoted an entire supplement to probiotics. Their value, safety and therapeutic benefit has held out in clinical trials and case controls. I use them quite frequently in my practice. AJCN -- Abstracts: Marteau et al. 73 (2): 430S http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/2/430S

Probiotic agents to protect the urogenital tract against infection

What a wonderful article!! I have had numerous patients use probiotics for recurrent urinary tract infections as well as yeast infections. The results from a distilled water douche is almost instantaneous. Lactobacillus is a normal inhabitant of the vaginal vault, and its acidity prevents many other bacteria and yeast from growing. Such a simple therapy... AJCN -- Abstracts: Reid 73 (2): 437S http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/2/437S

Probiotics: effects on immunity

Once we finally accept that the GI tract has a strong ability to modulate the response of the immune system throughout the entire body, then using probiotics to help boost immune function becomes an entirely rational therapeutic avenue. And remember...antibiotics will kill off these normal, protective flora. Could it be shown in the years to come that antibiotics actually lower our immune response? AJCN -- Abstracts: Isolauri et al. 73 (2): 444S http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/2/444S

Protective role of probiotics and prebiotics in colon cancer

Fiber has been shown to be protective against colon cancer, but a recent study shed some doubt on this belief. However, it is commonly believed that this protective effect comes from the action of probiotics on soluble fiber, producing butyrate. I would love to see the baterial environment of the GI tracts of the patients used in the study that showed no benefit from fiber, and re-evaluate the data. AJCN -- Abstracts: Wollowski et al. 73 (2): 451S http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/2/451S

Risk of birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant users of NSAIDs

This study did not show an increase risk of birth defects w/ NSAID use, but did show an increase in the likelihood of a miscarriage. In many women unable to maintain a pregnancy, factors such as this, as well as homocysteine levels should be checked to increase the chance of a full term delivery. bmj.com Abstracts: Nielsen et al. 322 (7281): 266 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/322/7281/266

How are abnormal liver function tests dealt with in primary care?

First of all, it is a shame that we still consider standard liver enzyme levels as a "liver function" test. It absolutely is NOT. With these tests, we are looking for liver damage, not function (with exception of bilirubin, which is somewhat of a functional test). True liver function tests involve what the liver DOES, such as detoxification panels. I love to see a patient come in with altered liver function, because I know there is so much that functional medicine can do for these patients. bmj.com Abstracts: Sherwood et al. 322 (7281): 276 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/322/7281/276