June 11, 2001 Research Update

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

Lifespan extension in mice with defects in growth hormone production

I realize that this is a rodent study, but the implications are so strong if they hold true for humans (as I believe they will...). One of the current fads in lifespan extension is the use of hormones to bring levels up to those found in youth. What we may not realize is that nature intended for those levels to drop as we got older to protect our aging cells. This study highlights this belief to the "T". PNAS -- Abstracts: Flurkey et al. 98 (12): 6736 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/12/6736

The in vivo neuromodulatory effects of ginkgo biloba

This article is a little technical, but the bottom line is that ginko biloba does activate certain areas of DNA in the brain that plays a protective role against certain degenerative neurological disorders such as Alzheimers. Maybe thousands of years of anecdotal evidence really did have a scientific basis... PNAS -- Abstracts: Watanabe et al. 98 (12): 6577 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/12/6577

Changes in Antioxidative Mechanisms in Elderly Patients with NIDDM

This study suggests that changes in the way that our cells use alpha-tocopherol (one form of Vit E) may be related to the pathogenesis of diabetes. While I don't find this concept hard to believe, I do feel that diabetes is unquestionably a multi-factorial disease that needs to be attacked from multiple angles to be most effective. Karger Online : Gerontology http://www.online.karger.com/library/karger/renderer/dataset.exe?jcode=GER& action=render&rendertype=abstract&uid=GER.ger47150

Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

Kudos to these authors for suggesting that liver disease is reversible! It is entirely possible that many cases of liver failure are related to a process called metabolic activation, where the liver, in the process of trying to get rid of toxins, may actually produce a substance more toxic than what it started out with. The substances mentioned in this article, such as N-acetylcysteine, are beneficial for supporting hepatic detoxification and making sure that metabolic activation does not damage the liver itself.

Sem Liver Disease 21(1):81-88, 2001 Treatment of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver has typically been focused on the management of associated conditions such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia as well as discontinuation of potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Nonalcoholic fatty liver associated with obesity may resolve with weight reduction, although the benefits of weight loss have been inconsistent. Appropriate metabolic control for patients with diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidemia is always recommended but not always effective in reversing nonalcoholic fatty liver. Promising results of pilot studies evaluating ursodeoxycholic acid, gemfibrozil, betaine, N-acetylcysteine, and -tocopherol suggest that these medications may be of potential benefit in the treatment of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver. These medications, however, need first to be tested in well-controlled trials with clinically relevant end points and extended follow-up. A better understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of this condition will help to identify the subset of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver at risk of progressing to advanced liver disease and, hence, the subgroup of patients who should derive the most benefit from medical therapy. In this article, we review (1) the existing medical therapy for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver, (2) the emerging data from clinical trials evaluating potentially useful medications, and (3) the potential therapeutic implications of recent studies on the pathogenesis of this liver disease.

Evaluation of the Antihyperlipidemic Properties of Dietary Supplements

This article examines several natural substances and their ability to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. The authors conclude that the effects of the substances do not exceed a 25% reduction in levels and therefore only have a modest effect. Personally, I would prefer an herb with modest effect and no dangerous or even lethal side effects than a prescription with marked reduction and potentially serious side effects. I can always use the modest natural substance in conjuction with exercise and dietary modification to achieve greater responses.

Pharmacotherapy 21(4):481-487, 2001 We reviewed the published literature regarding the antihyperlipidemic effects of dietary supplements. A search of MEDLINE database, EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology database, and the Internet was performed, and pertinent studies were identified and evaluated. References from published articles and tertiary references were used to gather additional data. Published trials indicate that red yeast rice, tocotrienols, gugulipid, garlic, and soy protein all have antihypercholesterolemic effects. These supplements, as well as -3 fatty acids, also have antihypertriglyceridemic effects. In clinical trials none of the agents led to a reduction in low-density lipoproteins greater than 25%, suggesting modest efficacy. When recommending these supplements, clinicians should keep in mind that their long-term safety is not established and patients should be monitored closely.

Premenstrual Drop in Progesterone May Explain Perimenstrual Asthma

I must admit that the idea of using progesteron to treat asthmatic complaints is new to me, it would be something I would be very comfortable with. Progesterone is already an excellent tool to use to blunt the high estrogen levels that may lead to many other menstrual and premenstrual problems.

Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand's annual scientific meeting In a prospective study of 51 women with asthma, 47% had constant symptoms, 41.2% had perimenstrual asthma, and 11.8% had mid-cycle deterioration in peak expiratory flow and other signs, according to respiratory physicians Dr. Glenn Rice-McDonald, from Mater Misericordiae Hospital in South Brisbane, and Professor Charles Mitchell, from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba. "The magnitude of the drop in progesterone from day minus 7 to day minus 2, premenstrual tension symptoms, and age explained 89.2% of the variability in perimenstrual asthma symptom scores, with the progesterone gradient being the major determinant," the researchers reported in a meeting abstract.