July 3, 2000 Research Update

Uneasy Alliance -- researchers and the Pharmaceutical Industry

This article outlines the problems with the pharmaceutical companies funding research for there own drugs. Problems can arise when the studies are not favorable for the drug companies.

Health Policy Report -- NEJM 2000; 342: 1539-1544 http://www.nejm.org/content/2000/0342/0020/1539.asp

Progesterone Relieves Menopause-Related Symptoms

This article is glowingly in favor or natural progesterone, stating that it is superior to artificial progesterone. So why hasn't this been plastered all over the news??

J Women's Health 2000;9(4):1-7 At doses of 100 to 400 mg q.d., 80% of the subjects reported excellent satisfaction with the new HRT regimen, and more than 65% reported improvement over the previous regimen. Vasomotor symptoms were improved in 50% of the subjects, anxiety and depression in 45%, and somatic symptoms in 32%. The subjects also reported improvements in sleep disturbance, menstrual problems, cognitive difficulties, and sexual functioning. The authors conclude, in the May issue of the Journal of Women's Health, that "quality-of-life effects of natural progesterone are superior to MPA-containing regimens. These benefits combined with the positive effects on lipoproteins suggest that a micronized progesterone regimen may offer a wider spectrum of benefits for postmenopausal women."

Increased Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients With Dyspepsia

This study found that, in people with dyspepsia (stomach upset) they were twice as likely to be allergic to wheat.

Incr eased Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients With Dyspepsia http://archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/v160n10/full/ioi90323.html

Ritalin And Prozac Prescribed Together by More Children

Either one of these drugs alone have not had the necessary studies to determine their safety. Put them together and the story gets even more disturbing.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and fluoxetine (Prozac), as well as various combinations of similar stimulants and antidepressants, are being prescribed together for an increasing number of children, according to data presented here at the American Academy of Pediatrics' annual meeting. "I think the safety of these medications--in the young child especially--is not known, and when you take them in combination it's a whole new level of safety concern," noted Dr. Jerry Rushton, of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. "It's something that needs to be studied further."

Juvenile Delinquency Associated With Lead Exposure

Heavy metals are still a big concern with overall health, and checking for heavy metals is probably one of the least invasive test your doctor can perform.

About 15.6% of the juvenile delinquency observed among youth can be attributed to lead exposure, according to Dr. Herbert L. Needleman from the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania at the combined annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies and the American Academy of Pediatrics. In a separate presentation at the same meeting, Dr. Bruce P. Lanphear of the Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, reported that lead levels in children's blood as low as 2.5 mcg/dL--far below the level of 10 mcg/dL considered acceptable by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--were associated with lower scores in tests of reading and mathematics.

Common Soil Bacteria Challenge to Be Used in Pediatric Asthma Trial

Yet another strong reason to use a probiotic supplement. I truly believe that the destruction of normal, healthy and friendly bacteria w/ antibiotic use is one of the links between antibiotic use and asthma. The potential benefits of using probiotics are very exciting.

The addition of common soil bacteria to children's diets may help prevent asthma, according to UK scientists, who are set to begin a hospital trial in which infants will receive low doses of bacteria to boost their immune system. According to Dr. Charles Warner, trial coordinator and Professor of Child's Health at the University of Southampton, "there is a global network of microbiological asthma research, which has demonstrated that the lower exposure of a baby to certain types of bacteria, the higher their risk of asthma...Our studies are very closely tied to similar studies conducted in Australia and Sweden." In the University of Southampton trial, lactobacilli bacteria, which occur normally in the bowel, will be fed to 400 infants with a family history of asthma. This will be followed up with a trial of 4,000 infants from families with no history of allergic asthma reaction.

Coffee and Caffeine Intake and the Risk of Parkinson Disease

In this study, it was the caffeine and not the coffee. If this research does get backed up by further studies, adding green tea may be a safer and healthier alternative to coffee.

Associat ion of Coffee and Caffeine Intake With the Risk of Parkinson Disease