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June 10, 2004 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Impact of a low glycaemic index diet on hospital stay following coronary artery bypass grafting
I have always considered hospitals as a dangerous place to be, and a large part of that is because the food served is incredibly bad from a quality standpoint. We know that refined carbs and hydrogenated oils suppress the immune system and this can surely contribute to the large number of nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections that end up putting these same patients BACK in the hospital!! This study finds that a healthy, less refined diet leads to a quicker release from the hospital after heart surgery by about 2.5 days. Multiply 2.5 days by the cost of a typical hospital stay and the numbers are astounding. So, the question is--would hospitals want to feed better food to have patients in less time and generate less income?
Retrospective analysis of the impact of a low glycaemic index diet on hospital stay following coronary artery bypass grafting..
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Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Triptans
I was not aware that there was concern with triptan use (in this case when used for the treatment of headaches--in my opinion, not a very good use) in patients with cardiovascular disease. Live and learn. However, what makes this VERY interesting is the following article....
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Triptans - Headache, Vol 44, Issue s1, pp. S31-S39 (Abstract)
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Closure of patent foramen ovale reduces the frequency of migraine attacks
I'm finding this article very interesting. Fixing a patent foramen ovale (this is an opening from right to left ventricle that bypasses the lungs in the fetus who does not use the lungs, this should shut at birth) cuts migraine frequency in these patients by HALF. This really opens up a can of worms here. I've always had a problem with mainstream medicine's approach to headaches in general. There is almost always an underlying physiological or anatomical imbalance that creates headaches. This needs to be found and fixed NOT COVERED UP WITH PAIN MEDS!!!! I cannot tell you how many times patients come into my office after years of unsuccessful treatment of headaches from the medical community and they are gone in 2-3 weeks. This article would suggest that some degree of oxygen deprivation (patent foramen ovale leads to some blood skipping the lungs) was a major contributor to these patient's migraines. Might some degree of this be present in patients without PDA? Maybe approaches designed to improve oxygenation, oxygen delivery and facilitate efficient use of the oxygen that is there might show strong benefits in migraine patients.
Neurology -- Abstracts: Schwerzmann et al. 62 (8): 1399
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Parental perceptions of the therapeutic effect from osteopathic manipulation or acupuncture in children with spastic cerebral palsy
There is a clinic in Oklahoma City (www.chiropractic4kids.com) that has stories of treating patients that would bring tears to your eyes. There is no doubt that manipulative therapy (96% of which, I might add, is performed by chiropractors) has positive effects on the nervous system that lead to improvements in a wide variety of conditions such as autism, asthma, heart rate variations and in this study, cerebral palsy.
Entrez PubMed
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Lactic acid bacteria secrete metabolites retaining anti-inflammatory properties after intestinal transport
Why is it, with all the research supporting the benefits of normal, healthy (probiotic) flora, that many still consider the main concern with antibiotic overuse the spread of resistant germs? It would take me days to explain all the benefits of good healthy flora on our health and how they can be virtually wiped out by one course of antibiotics. This study finds that lactic acid bacteria (such as lactobacillus) have the ability to suppress TNF-alpha production systemically from their home in the GI tract. Remember that one of the hot new drugs out for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease (Umbro) blocks TNF-alpha action as well.
Gut -- Abstracts: Ménard et al. 53 (6): 821
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Homocysteine Levels and the Risk of Osteoporotic Fracture
Now that homocysteine is a well established risk factor for heart disease, the research community is moving on to other things homocysteine may contribute to. Remember the homocysteine may just be a marker for altered methylation ability, which is a process aided by Vit B12, B6, riboflavin, SAM-e, betaine and folic acid that is integral to the proper cell division of every single cell and well as the protection of DNA and the production of some neurotransmitters. So, defects in the homocysteine pathway (which are very suseptable to genetic uniquenesses) can lead to a wide variety of downstream conditions. The bottom line--interventions designed to lower homocysteine levels would probably benefit most patients and be cheaper than checking blood levels.
NEJM -- Homocysteine Levels and the Risk of Osteoporotic Fracture
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Homocysteine as a Predictive Factor for Hip Fracture in Older Persons
Just in case you don't believe ONE study....
NEJM -- Homocysteine as a Predictive Factor for Hip Fracture in Older Persons
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Low-grade systemic inflammation impairs arterial stiffness in newly diagnosed hypercholesterolaemia
Sorry for the long title, but basically, CRP as a marker of inflammation and waist to hip ratio were a better marker for less elasticity in the aorta (not a good thing...) than "traditional" risk factors such as LDL and total cholesterol and blood pressure. It is still rare for me to see a CRP level come back from any labwork ordered from another physician. This is just another example of clinical practice running decades behind what is in the medical literature.
Low-grade systemic inflammation impairs arterial stiffness in newly diagnosed hypercholesterolaemia - Eur J Clin Invest, Vol ..
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Association between diet and esophageal cancer in Taiwan
Preserved foods and overheated drinks were found to increase risk of esophageal cancer 3.4 fold. Increased fruits and veggies were protective. Wow. Such surprising findings... Sarcasm over the waste of money on an obvious outcome, this study find increased risk at intakes of preserved foods at least once per week. How bout 3 times a DAY here in the US.
Association between diet and esophageal cancer in Taiwan - J Gastroenterol Hepatol, Vol 19, Issue 6, pp. 632-637 (Abstract)
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Insulin resistance and CRP as independent risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
I just thought I would use this article to tie in with the new documentary "Supersize Me." This is exactly what happened to the star of this film. He ended up with elevated liver enzymes just 3 weeks into his program. The fast food had induced insulin resistance and elevated inflammation in this short a period of time.
Insulin resistance and C-reactive protein as independent risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese Asia..
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Pfizer pleads guilty, but drug sales continue to soar
Never forget that the pharmaceuticals are big business, and just like GM or Honeywell, they are out there to turn a profit for the shareholders. The fact that the illegal pushing of off label use of a drug that earns a guilty verdict of $240 million is effective at getting doctors to use Neurontin for conditions it DOESN'T EVEN HELP is just wrong.
bmj.com Lenzer 328 (7450): 1217
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The defence of dirt
This is a neat commentary about the theory that our sterilized society is responsible for the increased rates of atopic disorders. I strongly agree with this theory. The increased rates of immunizations coupled with the rampant use of antibiotics (without replacing with probiotics) leads to a Th2 dominant state. This does not happen in a vacuum--it is the end outcome of a serious of events that leads to the imbalance of the immune system.
bmj.com Watts 328 (7450): 1226
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