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July 1, 2002 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Cranberry Juice and Adhesion of Antibiotic-Resistant Uropathogens
The results of this study are really quite amazing. Use of cranberry juice in this study changed anti-adherence of E. coli from 0% up to 80%. A quick comment, however...this article denotes that cranberry juice "cocktail" was used. This generally refers to the sugar-added version, not the natural stuff. If this is the case in this study, it is likely that the actual juice may have been even more effective. Keep in mind that it is actually the D-mannose in the juice that is absorbed, passes through to the urine and binds the fimbrae on the pathogenic bacteria, thus preventing the bacteria from attaching to the cells of our urinary system. Couple this therapy with probiotic deuches and I'm sure that the use of anitbiotics for UTIs would become a rare therapy.
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Gut microbiota of allergic infants
It nice to actually see some of the probiotic research being used in studies on infants. There is so much data relating to the importance of healthy bacterial flora that is still amazes me that it has not hit mainstream medicine yet. Sure, the occasional doc recommends yogurt to his/her patient on antibiotics in a pathetic attempt to restore the fragile balance of the patient's ecosystem that will be destroyed with the willy-nilly use of antiobiotics for the sniffles, but that doesn't quite make the cut for functional medicine therapies...
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Hyperinsulinaemia on growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma
We are seeing more and more evidence that high insulin levels plays a role in the development of certain cancers. Remember that insulin does regulate certain aspects of cell cycling, and altering this regulation can certain lead to cancerous changes. The scary part is, current estimates range around 25% for the US population with hyperinsulinemia...
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Folic acid, ageing, depression, and dementia
The concept that nutrition and physiological function play a role in psychological health has an astounding amount of literature to back it up. That would include problems with thyroid function, adrenal function, heavy metal toxicity, hypoglycemia, B vitamin status...the list is virtually endless. This concept, however well founded and research, still has made it nowhere near clinical psychological or psychiatric practice. This needs to change. Too many times I see many patients in my office that have been on changing antidepressants for years without any real success. Remember that these drugs in no way, shape, or form address either underlying physiological dysfunction NOR psychological issues.
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Nut Consumption and Decreased Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death
Somewhere along the line nuts got a bad rap for being fattening and not good for us. Following the "as close to nature as possible" theory, nuts are really a very good food. This article adds to the increasing evidence that nuts are good for the cardiovascular system. Numerous studies already show lowering of cholesterol with nuts such as walnuts, pistachios and almonds. Nut and seed consumption should be a part of every healthy lifestyle.
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Adrenalectomy Improves Diabetes in Mice
It is well accepted that chronic stress resulting in the overproduction of cortisol (on of the body's stress hormones...) alters insulin sensitivity in a negative fashion. This animal study builds on this foundation. Remember that chronic stress has deleterious effects on just about every aspect of human physiology. However, if your endocrinologist comes after you with a knife, better run for the hills--not only do you avoid the scars, but exercise is a wonderful way to manage chronically elevated cortisol...
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Hyperketonemia Increases Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Secretion
If you are a regular reader of Updates, I'm sure you're aware of just how much I support the high protein diets that are designed to throw the human body into that dangerous state called ketosis. Here is further support against the "health improving" high protein diets...ketosis leads to upregulation of TNF-alpha, a cytokine intimately related in turning up the level of inflammation in the body. Consider that the latest and greatest drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease are TNF blockers because increased TNF-alpha is believed to be a contributing factor to the perpetuation of these chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-T genotype modulates homocysteine responses to a folate-rich diet or a low-dose folic acid supplement
I know this is quite a title to swallow, but this enzyme is quite well studied and can have an incredible impact across a wide range of disease states. Remember the folate needs to be converted to its active form (tetrahydrofolate) to be used by the body. The enzyme that works in this process is subject to genetic variation and those with the homozygous (sluggish copies from both parents) genotype have a much increased risk for high homocysteine, neural tube defects, certain cancers, Alzheimers, etc... The patients with the sluggish enzymes can override this slow enzyme with high levels of substrate (i.e. folate supplementation).
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Bone mineral density and dietary patterns in older adults
Here's another one of those studies...we see dairy intake as a part of one of the groups studied. However, in the author's conclusions, the dairy group was casually not mentioned. In other words, dairy was not as effective as fruit and vegetables in maintaining healthy bone mass. Go figure. I still consider dairy consumption for bone health as being one of the largest dupes ever pushed over on the American consumer. A true testament to the concept that "he who holds the money makes the rules," even if the rules are not founded in scientific fact.
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