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January 3, 2002 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
High dose folic acid and gastric carcinogenesis in beagles
As more and more research piles on, Vitamin B12 and folic acid are arising as some of the most incredibly important nutrients in health and disease. Affecting heart disease, neurological disorders (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's..), fertility and spontaneous abortions, cervical cancer and now colon cancer. This list just goes on and on. The sad part is that both of these nutrients are sadly deficient in today's lifestyle. Refined carbs, avoidance of fruits and veggies and poor digestion all work together to create deficiencies. Then, to make matters more complicated, about 25% of the population has a genetic defect in the MHTFR gene that requires high levels of folic acid. I have seen many weird neurological disorders (numbness, tingling, tinnitus, "dancing feet" and weakness) respond remarkably to high dose B12 and folic acid. It's cheap, easy to take, and good luck finding adverse effects. Gut -- Abstracts: Xiao et al. 50 (1): 61
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A 10 Year Prospective Followup of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Let's look at this...very toxic drugs, significant side effects, and NOW we find out that drugs for RA actually make the patient worse in the long run? While it does not surprise me, be really need to wake up in medicine. The "first do no harm" mantra seems to have fallen by the wayside. Treatment for arthritis with NSAIDs has shown progression of osteoarthritis and now this. What makes this article even more disconcerning is that there are effective, safe natural methods for managing many autoimmune disorders. Lifestyle changes, elimination diets and unrefined diets are some of the most powerful medicines for these conditions. There are still, however, many patients who are not willing to even listen to take of lifestyle changes. I had a patient with scleroderma who took 15 minutes for her and her oxygen tank to make it the 200 yards from the parking lot to my table. Quality of life was zero and progression of the disease was imminent. And yet she thought I was crazy for suggesting that lifestyle changes may have an impact on her condition. No other doctor she had seen had mentioned this before, so it couldn't possibly be true coming from a chiropractor... Abstract:
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Could TH1 and TH2 diseases coexist?
This is a concept that can shake many of our foundations. TH1 immune response is the "killer attack dog" system, while the TH2 is the "killer guard dog" system. TH2 keeps things (bacteria, viruses...) out while TH1 destroys them if they manage to get through. Too much TH1 leads to autoimmune prevalence; too much TH2 leads to allergies and asthma as the immune system overreacts to things trying to get in. Much current thinking does not allow imbalances in the TH1/2 response to coexist--it's an either or response. However, this concept is beginning to be shattered. We already know that as we age our immune system is less responsive, and yet incidence of autoimmune antibodies increases as we get older. This seems paradoxical, and yet it indicates a disregulation in the immune response. The presence of both TH1 and TH2 overresponse coexisting is still a new concept and keep yourself open for future theory and research. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Online
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Infectious Burden and Long-Term Prognosis of Atherosclerosis
I think it is safe to add an infectious mechanism to the list of contributors to cardiovascular disease. A few interesting things here. H. pylori is included in the list of possible infectious agents. Could it be that the infectious agent is there because of some depression in the immune system? Much evidence points to a reduction in gastric Vit C as a risk factor for H. pylori infection. Considering that Vit C has definate benefits in CVD, it may actually be the Vit C and not the H. pylori infection... Circulation -- Abstracts: Espinola-Klein et al. 105 (1): 15
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Fatty Acids as Biochemical, Molecular Modulators of Bone
This article gives some physiological background for the finding that omega-3 fatty acids protect against osteoporosis. While this article does not have me jumping up and down in excitement, hopefully it will begin to break the back of the "osteoporosis = calcium deficiency" fallacy. This is a concept created and perpetuated by such big money organizations as the dairy industry. Osteoporosis is a disease of lifestyle, and calcium is but one of the many factors that plays into its progression or recovery. Fatty Acids and Bone Biology
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