January 17, 2002 Research Update

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

Epidemiology and natural history of Crohns disease

This is a numbers study that shows how poorly this disease is managed currently. 57% of patients will require resection (removal of a portion of small intestine). With all the knowledge out there about functional bowel disorders, it is frankly just short of shocking that management is not better. We have the tools, why not use them? In my experience, many of the Crohn's patients I've seen have overgrowth of yeast. Control the sugars in the diet, load them up with probiotics and a diet that promotes growth of healthy flora will put most Crohn's cases into remission. Synergy Abstract

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Two Diets for the Prevention of Recurrent Stones

It is still surprising to me that the idea that patients with recurrent kidney stones are given the recommendation to lower intake of calcium, despite the finding that calcium intake is just not associated with stones. Stones have more to do with a animal based over a plant based diet. Avoid caffeine, drinks copious amounts of water and choose predominately plant foods. Actually, calcium supplementation with calcium citrate many actually lower the risk of stones... NEJM -- Abstracts: Borghi et al. 346 (2): 77

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Vit C and H pylori-infected patients during acid-suppression

Go figure on this one...acid suppression is known to corpus gastritis (inflammation of the main portion of stomach) from H. pylori infection worse. No big shocker since H. pylori does not do so well in an acid environment. Well, this study finds that adding Vit C inhibits this inflammation. So we have two options here--make Vit C supplementation an intergral part of any H. pylori therapy, or run some studes on the effect of only high dose Vit C of H. pylori infection. I just cannot stress how important stomach acid is to our health, and acid suppression without thought to the physiological consequences is, to me, malpractice. Synergy Abstract

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Soy-Derived Phytoestrogens on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins

This study finds no benefits of soy phytoestrogens on serum lipids. Before we run out and drop soy from a healthy lifestyle, there are a few things to consider here. First, soy foods, not supplements, have consistently been shown to be a part of a healthy lifestyle. I am a firm believer in the wisdom of Mother Nature, and believe that she put multiple factors in every food that work synergistically to achieve health benefits. Also, by adding soy into one's diet, it will invariably be replacing more harmful animal products. JCEM -- Abstracts: Dewell et al. 87 (1): 118

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DHEA Inhibits VSMC Proliferation Independent of ARs and ERs

I know it's a big, long, complicated title, but basically this study shows that DHEA has independent effects on reducing atherosclerosis. Although DHEA is produced by the adrenals and converted to testosterone and then estrogen, this is an example of a precurser hormone/molecule having physiologic effects. Pretty amazing. Now, I would not recommend running out and taking bottles of DHEA to lower risk of CVD. However, making sure that your adrenal glands are functioning optimally is very important to maintaining healthy, physiologicaly normal levels. JCEM -- Abstracts: Williams et al. 87 (1): 176

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Clinical factors, diet, and drugs on upper GI glutathione system

Glutathione is one of the body's more powerful methods of dealing with toxins and free radicals. This article finds that fruits and veggies will increase the concentrations of glutathione and the related enzyme glutathione transferase. While this is no great shocker, it does indicate that high levels of these compounds through higher intake of fruits and veggies may be a first line of defense against toxins that we take in through our diet. Gut -- Abstracts: Hoensch et al. 50 (2): 235

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Vitamin C, gastric cancer cells and Helicobacter pylori

This study finds that Vit C can protect against the cancerous changes that can be associated with H. pylori infection but that the typical patient does not have enough Vit C in gastric juice to achieve this effect. Maybe that's why the bacteria is there in the first place???... Okay, since this is yet another study showing that Vit C seems to play a pivotal role in treatment of H. pylori associated gastric conditions, why are we not seeing this as an essential cofactor for treatment? Just give it a few decades... Gut -- Abstracts: Zhang et al. 50 (2): 165

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Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis

Ginger is another of those natural compounds that has shown some pretty strong potential as an anti-inflammatory, particular in cases of osteoarthritis. Remember, also, that ginger has some very strong anti-emetic (anti-nausea) properties as well and can work well for morning sickness. Entrez-PubMed

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Sinistrality-a side-effect of prenatal sonography

This is unquestionably one of the scarier articles I have come across in a long time. You need to fully understand that fetal ultrasonography is used extensively in Western medicine and that studies have never been done to determine safety. Couple that with the fact that ultrasonography rarely, if ever, changes the outcome of the pregnancy. So, used extensively despite lack of a safety profile, and appearantly for no clinical reason. Well, here's the shocker--this article suggests that this procedure does have an effect on the developing brain. HELLO!!! While this article looks at effects on handedness (an easy marker to look for), what other subtle neurological damage/changes are we inducing??????

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Some Supplements Found to Exceed Safe Levels of Vitamin B

This is an important news release in that it brings to light a whole plethora of issues and concerns. First, the recommended dosages of many nutrients is ridiculously low. So the fact that certain vitamins exceed the RDA is hardly cause for concern in my book. Second, there are many cases where high doses of certain B vitamins are essential for a patient. Consider for example that about 25% of the population has a sluggish methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) system. These patients will require high dosages of folic acid to drive the enzyme and perform essential functions such as protecting against cancer and helping proper cell division. The RDA can't come close to touching what these people need. I will frequently use a B12 supplement with 2000 mcg (RDA is a measly 6 mcg) in my seniors to override poor absorption. The news release does mention that high doses of B vitamins should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional, and I do strongly agree with this; however, few physicians have the background to give good recommendations. If your doctor seems unsure, find someone who is sure--don't take nutritional advice from a physician who does not understand it.

News Release: Some vitamin B supplements may contain more than the recommended amount of the nutrients, according to a new report. ConsumerLab.com, a commercial testing company in White Plains, New York, conducted the study. "Consumers should be aware that more than 40% of the products that we evaluated exceeded levels at which they are known to be safely tolerated — some having more than 10 times the upper limit," said Dr. Tod Cooperman, ConsumerLab.com's president, in a prepared statement from the company. ConsumerLab.com tested 21 B vitamin supplement products. Some contained a single dose of a particular B vitamin while others included several. Nine of the 21 products exceeded established Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for adults — "above which there is increased risk for side effects with regular use," according to the report. The report notes that three of the niacin-only products exceeded the UL for niacin, as did six of the seven B complex products. The UL for niacin is 35 mg, while these products recommended daily doses ranging from 400 mg to 510 mg. "There may be good medical reasons for exceeding these levels, but there may also be significant side effects," Dr. Cooperman pointed out, and he advised people wanting to use high doses of B vitamins to consult with a healthcare professional." Vitamin B dietary supplements are becoming increasingly popular due to last year's decision by the US Food and Drug Administration to allow manufacturers to tout recent findings about the ability of B vitamins to reduce vascular disease risk.