July 10, 2000 Research Update

Nettles for arthritic pain

Here is another centuries old application for pain, with little or no side effects. Contents at a glance 3 June 2000 (under Science and Medicine)

Workers Exposed to Lead Have High Alzheimer's Risk

Checking for heavy metal in the body is such an easy and inexpensive test, it really should be used more often; especially considering the impact of heavy metals on human health.

Workers exposed to lead have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in later years, according to research presented here during the American Academy of Neurology's 52nd Annual Meeting. "People who have worked in jobs with high levels of lead exposure are up to 3.4 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease," according to an Academy press release. According to the news release, "activities that can expose workers to lead are: smelting or casting lead; removing lead coatings (welding, brazing, cutting, sanding or blasting old paints); heating, machining or spraying lead products, and making lead products (lead-acid battery manufacturing, lead glazing pottery making, cable production, ammunition manufacture, production of lead pipe, cable shielding, electronic components, paint and ink manufacture)." "Public health efforts have been successful in removing lead from sources such as gasoline and lead-soldered food and drink cans," Dr. Koss commented. "However, we need to remain vigilant about other sources of lead in the home and in the work place, including decaying old paint, contaminated soil or drinking water, hobbies and occupational exposure."

Japan Issues Health Alert on Common Cold Remedies

Just because something is over the counter does not mean it is safe.

Japan's Health and Welfare Ministry warned hospitals and physicians on Friday that an ingredient used in some prescriptions to fight the common cold may cause serious liver problems, after the death of two patients. Since 1997, eight patients who took remedies which included loxoprofen sodium have suffered serious liver damage and two of have died, the ministry said in a statement.

Dietary strategies for lowering homocysteine concentrations

If you have a family history of heart disease, and your doctor has not yet checked your homocysteine level, then you need to be assertive and make sure he/she does. If they still refuse...find another doctor. AJCN -- Abstracts: Riddell et al. 71 (6): 1448

Glycemic index of foods and risk of coronary heart disease in US women

The more processed the food, the worse it is for humans. The next time you buy that "100% whole wheat bread" look on the label and make sure enriched wheat flour is not on the ingredient list. AJCN -- Abstracts: Liu et al. 71 (6): 1455

Individual fatty acids in fat in relation to diet

The idea of taking in higher amounts of poly- and monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids is to replace the pro-inflammatory fats in the walls of every cell with fats that are less likely to produce inflammation. AJCN -- Abstracts: Summers et al. 71 (6): 1470

Chelated iron absorption

Phytic acid is substance in certain foods that is known to bind to and reduce the absorption of certain nutrients. This study supports the belief that chelated minerals, a much higher quality form, is not affected by phytic acid. AJCN -- Abstracts: Bovell-Benjamin et al. 71 (6): 1563

Iron bioavailability in infants from an infant cereal

Most iron in infant formulas is very poorly absorbed. Breastfeeding has always been and will always be the best way to feed an infant. AJCN -- Abstracts: Davidsson et al. 71 (6): 1597