July 30, 2001 Research Update

James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiropractic.com
www.lifecarechiropractic.com

Double infection w/ H pylori and non-H pylori during acid-suppression

The coinfection of H pylori along with other bacteria during acid suppressive therapy is believed to contribute to the progression of atrophic gastritis, a condition where the portion of the stomach that produces stomach acid is destroyed. This article suggests a cycle of stomach problems treated with acid suppression that encourages bacterial growth. This growth then produces an increased inflammatory reaction against the stomach in an attempt to destory the bacteria. The attack ultimately wears away the gastric antrum. I cannot stress how important stomach acid is to our health, and the casual nature with which acid suppression is prescribed and bought over the counter is frustrating. Any doctor willing to give acid suppressive therapy (with a few severe cases warranting its use) does not understand the physiology of the GI tract. Synergy : Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 15 (8), 1163-1175 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/apt/2001/15/8/abstract_apt1029.asp?journal=apt&issueid=6345&artid=119258&cid=apt.2001.8& ftype=abstracts

Probiotics, microbial flora, inflammation and tumour development

Lactobacillus in this study was shown to have a myriad of beneficial effectsl, none of which are a big surprise for those of us following this therapy for years. What does amaze me is that, as beneficial as probiotics have been shown to be for numerous GI conditions, probiotics are still relatively unheard of in mainstream medicine. Synergy : Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 15 (8), 1219-1225 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/apt/2001/15/8/abstract_apt1027.asp?journal=apt&issueid=6345&artid=119256&cid=apt.2001.8& ftype=abstracts

Irish children may have been given animal vaccine for whooping cough

Just remember...many have said that chiropractic care is unsafe and unproven by scientific methods. Go figure... bmj.com Payne 323 (7305): 128a http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7305/128/a

Ginkgo Biloba: A Review of Quality, Safety, and Efficacy

Ginko has been used for literally centuries with virtually no known side effects for conditions in which increased blood flow is desired--improved cognition, vascular claudication and impotence among others. Synergy : Nutrition in Clinical Care 4 (3), 140-147 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/ncc/2001/4/3/abstract_ncc00135.asp?journal=ncc&issueid=6337&artid=119187&cid=ncc.2001.3& ftype=abstracts

Nutrition and Cognitive Function

While not usually the first treatment thought of for cognitive and psychological problems, I firmly believe that nutrition and exercise are one of the most powerful (and underutilized) tools we have to deal with them. Maintaining proper insulin sensitivity, avoiding food allergies (especially gluten, when present) and exercise are just a few of the options available. In addition, the process in the body that uses folic acid for a large variety of metabolic processes can have a major impact on cognitive function. Genetic sluggishness of the enzyme that produces the active form of folic acid results in elevated homocysteine levels and impaired methylation (a process which serves to protect DNA). Synergy : Nutrition in Clinical Care 4 (3), 156-167 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/ncc/2001/4/3/abstract_ncc00137.asp?journal=ncc&issueid=6337&artid=119189&cid=ncc.2001.3& ftype=abstracts

Low Zinc Levels in Hair Linked to Neural Tube Defects

Despite a recent article suggesting that hair analysis is not a valid diagnostic method, it appears that these authors found otherwise. As a society, we have become fixated on folic acid to prevent NTDs, at the expense of a well rounded program. I recently had a patient bring in a "prenatal" vitamin from her primary care physician. This was one of the more popular brands produced by one of the pharmaceuticals. To put it frankly, it was awful. Artificial food colorings (does anyone really care what color their multi is????), tableting agents. And, worst of all, it only contained a few nutrients (folic acid, B12 and B6). How can we sometimes wear such blinders when it comes to health?

Indian J Pediatr 2001;68:519-522 A study conducted in Delhi, India, has documented an association between neural tube defects and low zinc levels in mothers' and neonates' hair. Although folic acid supplements are given in pregnancy, trace element supplements are not recommended, Dr. M. Srinivas, of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and colleagues note in the June issue of the Indian Journal of Pediatrics. This and the fact that zinc deficiency has been known to produce congenital abnormalities in animal studies prompted them to study the link between zinc and neural tube defects. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Dr. Srinivas and his team evaluated the serum and hair zinc levels in 80 neonates born with neural tube defects and their mothers. An equal number of normal mother-infant pairs served as controls. Assuming a hair growth of 0.4 mm per day, maternal hair samples were taken 10 cm from the scalp so as to estimate what the status was in the first trimester of pregnancy. The mean zinc level in serum and hair of the healthy neonates was 77.8 and 188.8 µg/L, respectively, and in their mothers it was 74.1 and 142.3 µg/L. In the neonates with neural tube defects, the corresponding figures were 80.1 and 174.2 µg/L, and in their mothers 75.7 and 129.9 µg/L. "The hair zinc levels of the affected babies and their mothers were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than the controls," the researchers report. They postulate that the role of zinc as a co-factor of various enzymes involved in nucleic acid metabolism could possibly explain the link with birth defects. While recommending larger controlled studies, the researchers suggest a possible role for zinc supplementation in pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.

Smoking, folate and MTHFR status in colon cancer

This is a wonderful article that should open the eyes to many patients out there trying things based on something they read in a magazine. This study evaluated the effect of genotype of MTHFR gene and folate status on colon cancer risk. Surprisingly, both low and high folate status can be a risk factor, depending upon the genotype of the patient. This is a perfect example of how the advancement of genetics can play a role in our health and longevity. We should not use genetic information as an exuse to change our genes through technology, but rather, use genetic information to tell us best how to adjust our environment for optimal longevity and health. Article Abstract http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/81002399/START

IOM Scrutinizes Link Between Vaccines, Neurological Problems

The arrogance of the powers that be that control the PR on vaccines never ceases to amaze me. Everyone accepts that the ethylmercury present in the preservative thimerosal used in certain vaccines has the potential to accumulate in infants' tissues at levels far exceeding accepted standards. But, say the powers that be, there is no cause for concern. In the same breath they say that thimerosal as a preservative is being phased out (at great expense, I might add...).

(article) Amidst concern about mercury content in vaccines commonly administered to children and a possible link to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the Institute of Medicine convened a meeting of their Immunization Safety Review Committee, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Monday.The multidisciplinary committee, chaired by Marie McCormick, MD, ScD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, has been charged with assessing a possible causal relationship between inoculations and adverse health consequences, and disseminating the results of the assessment to the public.Immunizations for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B, diphtheria, and tetanus toxoids with acellular pertussis (DTaP) have been a source of controversy in recent years because they use thimerosal, a preservative containing low levels of ethylmercury (EtHg), which can cause neurological damage. Pregnant women and fetuses are at highest risk from exposure. The metal is excreted from the body over time. However, according to a review conducted by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, infants younger than 6 months may accumulate EtHg at levels that exceed federal safety guidelines established for the intake of another highly toxic mercury, methyl mercury, which occurs naturally in seafood.Exposure to large amounts of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and a developing fetus. Irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems may result.Although thimerosal has been used in biologics since the 1930s, an increased number of vaccinations combined with a sharp rise in reported autism and ADHD incidence has caused parents and some physicians to question the safety of the inoculations. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, suggest a weak correlation between vaccine-related thimerosal exposure and incidence of language and speech delays, along with other neurological problems.In a joint statement made in July 1999 and finalized in June 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the US Public Health Service, and others emphasized that the risks of not vaccinating children far outweigh the possible problem of cumulative exposure to thimerosal.They note, however that "because any potential risk is of concern, and the elimination of exposure to mercury in the form of thimerosal from vaccines is feasible, thimerosal should be removed from vaccines as soon as possible."Except for DtaP, thimerosal-free versions of pediatric vaccines are available.The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine does not contain thimerosal. Parents groups have implicated MMR in the rise in cases of autism, although the CDC and an IOM panel have found no association.