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January 2, 2001 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Cytokine Parameters and Mortality in Chronic Heart Failure
This is an interesting article, not only looking at different types of tissue necrosis factor (TNF) in heart disease, but also other cytokines as well. As happens so often with human physiology and disease, we start to see the tangled web that decides our health. TNFalpha levels are increased by insulin and abdominal adipose tissue. Both high insulin levels and obesity are linked to increased risk of heart disease. Could this be one of the mechanisms by which this occurs? Maybe this is the route by which whole grains protects against heart disease; by controlling the insulin response and lowering production of TNFalpha... Circulation -- Abstracts: Rauchhaus et al. 102 (25): 3060 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/102/25/3060
Aging, Immunity, and Cancer
This is a review of the current literature supporting the idea that our immune system is constantly fighting off cancer, and it is the slowing of the immune system response with age that increases our risk for cancer. This really does shed new light on many new therapies coming out that focus on suppressing the immune response, such as the new TNFalpha inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. We don't fully understand how our bodies work, and blocking a step in this process may have unforseen consequences.
Cancer Control; JMCC 7(6):513-522, 2000 Background: The prime function of the immune system is to protect the entire organism from a variety of insults and illnesses, including the development of cancer. The question of how age-related declines in immune function contribute to an increasing incidence of malignancies continues to be a focus of discussion and speculation. Conclusions: Senescent decline in immune surveillance leads to the accumulation of cellular and DNA mutations that could be a significant factor in the development of malignancy and programmed cell death or apoptosis observed in the elderly.
Hydrolyzed Whey Formula Reduces Duration of Crying in Colic
Considering that milk is a common allergen, especially in infants, it is not surprising that digesting milk proteins further will reduce the effects of this allergy on the GI tract. Of course, my reaction would be to ask why we insist on trying to modify something that the infant is very likely allergic to--just take them off of dairy. An interesting side note--recent studies have pointed to the efficacy of manipulative therapy in reducing the crying time in infantile colic. If we begin to agree that colic is a GI disorder, than we also have to accept that spinal manipulation will also have beneficial effects on the visceral system as well..
Pediatrics 2000;106:1349-1354 An extensively hydrolyzed whey formula is effective in reducing the duration of crying in infants with colic. "The crying of infants on hypoallergenic formula decreased by 77 minutes per day more than the crying children on standard cow's milk formula," the researchers say. After adjustment for gender and the duration of crying during the qualification period, the difference was 47 minutes per day. Both figures were statistically significant, the researchers determined. A 63-minute difference in the reduction of crying time was observed in favor of the whey hydrolysate formula group when analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. The team reports that after the intervention week, 40% of the infants in the whey hydrolysate group no longer met the inclusion criteria regarding crying, compared with 28% of the infants in the standard formula group. Dr. Lucassen and colleagues conclude that "additi! onal research is needed to establish the effectiveness of hydrolysate formulas in infants with atopic features and in infants showing the complete picture of infantile colic, as opposed to infants with excessive crying as the single symptom."
Mineral Supplements May Give Athletes an Edge
This article would be of great interest to any long distance runners. I will always strongly recommend that long distance runners that higher levels of antioxidants than everyone else because they are producing greater amount of free radicals. It is ironic that something viewed as healthy like running, can actually create more damage to your body if you don't get the nutrients you need.
(article) Athletes may improve their performance by incorporating trace mineral supplements in their diet. In fact, this strategy could turn out to be a legal, healthy, and perfectly acceptable alternative to doping and perhaps even give Danish athletes an advantage in international competition, the chief coach for the Danish Elite Athletes told Reuters Health. Some experts claim that deficiencies in minerals such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and calcium are detrimental to basic physiological functions of the heart, muscles, and immune system, coach Lars Nielsen said. "Team Denmark, the self-governing institution of elite sport in this country, places great emphasis on optimal guidelines for nutrition, but the idea of supplementing minerals is new," he added. "Top-notch athletes often exert themselves to the point where their bodies are depleted of natural substances like magnesium, zinc, or calcium. If you c! ompare such athletes with normal individuals, who are not as active, you will find that the athletes have enormous nutrient requirements and may therefore easily run into shortages," Dr. Knut Flytlie, a Scandinavian expert in nutrition, pointed out in an interview with Reuters Health. He is conducting the pilot study in collaboration with The Danish Athletic Federation and Nielsen.
Homocysteine, cystathionine, MMA for diagnosis of vitamin deficiency
I have come across many patients who had "normal" blood levels of Vit B12 and yet responded positively to high dose B12 and folic acid. Our current laboratory values for B12 are set much too low and clinicians are not recognizing this. This study suggests that other markers are much better at diagnosing vitamin deficiency than serum levels. My recommendation....some companies make excellent and inexpensive 2000mcg B12/folate supplements; some of these labs tests are very expensive. If you consider a B12 or folate deficiency, supplement it. Synergy Abstract http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/journals/processfree2.asp?contentid=eci%2E2000%2E14&filetype=abstracts&article=82279
Low periconceptional folate warrants increased food fortification
Why do we continue to support food fortification? How about a return to whole grains and fresh fruits that are loaded with folate? The food they want to fortify are processed and unhealthy for us to begin with; adding supplements do not make them healthier!! Synergy Abstract http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/journals/processfree2.asp?contentid=jhn%2E2000%2E6&filetype=abstracts&article=82378