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January 29, 2004 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Is folic acid the ultimate functional food component for disease prevention?
45+ years after research began to suggest that the safe, simple and cheap use of folic acid may prevent neural tube defects, folic acid continues to be seen as a near panacea for prevention and potential treatment for a wide variety of conditions. This is because folic acid is involved in both the methylation pathway and the formation and repair of DNA. These two processes are so ingrained in our physiology as to have an impact on every cell every minute of every day. Deprive someone of folic acid, and/or throw in a genetic "uniqueness" that slows down the conversion of dietary folic acid to its active form, and the dominoes of disease begin to fall.
bmj.com Lucock 328 (7433): 211
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Updates on the Treatment of Epilepsy in Women
The topic of seizures hits close to home for me. My wife had experienced several seizures several years ago. All her contact with mainstream medicine strongly urged anti-epileptic medication. This included a "well-known and respected" neurologist. There was NEVER any consideration that medication was not the answer. A little thought process and recolection strongly tied aspartame to her symptoms. No Nutrisweet-no seizures. To think that the doctors wanted to put her on a medication with potentially devasting side effects for a condition that was related to one initiating factor I would consider at best ignorance and apathy, at worst malpractice.
Arch Intern Med -- Abstracts: Tatum et al. 164 (2): 137
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Conceptual Foundations of the UCSD Statin Study
Okay, well, that's wonderful. The #1 prescribed drug in the US and we need "a strong need for randomized controlled trial data to more clearly establish the impact of hydrophilic and lipophilic statins on cognition, aggression, and serotonin, as well as on other measures relevant to risks and quality-of-life impact in noncardiac domains." Does no one think this information should already be known???? Holey cow. Those on these meds should run to their medicine cabinet and look on the side of the label. Does it read "we are clueless as to what this drug may do to your brain, but there are suggestions that negative effects occur, but don't let that worry you--go ahead and take as recommended." Remember stuff like this when medicine requires randomized, double blind placebo controlled studies of natural approaches.
Arch Intern Med -- Abstracts: Golomb et al. 164 (2): 153
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Accuracy of Ultrasonography in Predicting Celiac Disease
Given the high prevalence of CD and it's major impact on our health, diagnostic tests that help determine its presence are always welcome. Anti tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) and anti-endomyssium antibodies (EMA) are blood tests that are also useful for diagnosing ceoliac disease.
Arch Intern Med -- Abstracts: Fraquelli et al. 164 (2): 169
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Effects of an Ad Libitum Low-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Diet on Body Weight, Body Composition, and Fat Distribution in Older Men and Women
Now doesn't this throw a wrench in the argument for high protein diets. Basically, study participants were told to eat at will, so long as the carbs taken in were complex (in this group they consumed 26 g of fiber per 1000 kcal--that would be 52 g for most people, a respectable number). The high carb group lost weight, and, interestingly, some of the weight lost was from the thighs-a very difficult place to lose weight from.
Arch Intern Med -- Abstracts: Hays et al. 164 (2): 210
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The thyroid, iodine and breast cancer
This is a very interesting concept brought to my attention by Dr. Harry Eidner's newsletter produced for DSD International. Their seems to be some links between iodine deficiency and breast cancer. The additional of treatment for hypothyroidism seems to strengthen to risk of breast cancer. Given the high level of prescriptions for hypothyroidism (most notably Synthroid) this is a very real concern.
Entrez-PubMed
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Apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A-I: risk indicators of coronary heart disease and targets for lipid-modifying therapy
Just when you thought you had it down--LDL cholesterol BAD, HDL cholesterol GOOD, we identify subfractions of both of these cholesterols. HDL has several subfractions, with HDL-2 believed to be the real player for lowering CVD risk. This study confirms previous evidence that apo B increases risk and apo A-1 lowers risk. Once again, it's almost a little comical and a little sad when most clinicians are still oblivious to the research and continue to use only cholesterol to stratify risk for CVD.
Apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A-I: risk indicators of coronary heart disease and targets for lipid-modifying therapy - ..
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Prevention of Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice Lacking Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1
Don't feel bad--I'm new to the concept of PAI-1 being used as a marker for insulin resistance/Syndrome X as well. Research is still ongoing, but PAI-1 is a compound that increases the "stickiness" of platelets and this make be associated with (some think a causative factor in) Syndrome X. We really do need a solid, accurate method to assess presence and degree of insulin resistance. It would be nice if this compound turns out to be our answer.
Diabetes -- Abstracts: Ma et al. 53 (2): 336
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease related to diabetes
This is what I like to hear. Too many times we view GERD as it's own entity that requires separate treatment (i.e. antisecretory therapy). Rarely do we view the big picture and what may be causing the GERD in the first place. I already suggest avoidance of the typical no-no's (caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, nightshade veggies) as well as digestive enzymes/HCl. It is nice to have another contributing factor to look at.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease related to diabetes: Analysis of 241 cases with type 2 diabetes mellitus - J Gastroenterol He..
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Long-term consumption of infant formulas containing live probiotic bacteria: tolerance and safety
Geez, need I say more?? Everyone who has read more than two issues of Updates knows I am a big fan of probiotics. Note in the conclusions that less antibiotic use was noted.
AJCN -- Abstracts: Saavedra et al. 79 (2): 261
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