June 25, 2001 Research Update

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

Jury finds drug 80% responsible for killings

I'm all for personal responsibility, but this kind of stuff does make you wonder. I have heard reports about how many of the psychoactive drugs out today are truly a danger by removing a patients' ability to be concerned about consequences of their actions. Considering that Ritalin would fall into this category, it is a pretty scary, large and uncontrolled trial that we are performing on our young children today... bmj.com Josefson 322 (7300): 1446b http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/322/7300/1446/b

Intestinal dysfunction, liver cirrhosis & spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

I know it's a big long title, but basically, patients with liver cirrhosis have increased suseptability to bacterial infections without any known source of the bacteria. This article suggests that the bacteria may come from the gut. This would suggest that the use of probiotics in any patient with liver disease would be an essential part of their therapy. Synergy : Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 16 (6), 607-612 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/jgh/2001/16/6/abstract_jgh2444.asp?journal=jgh&issueid=5894&artid=112070&cid=jgh.2001.1& ftype=abstracts

L-Arginine Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

We know have so many tools in the natural arsenal against diabetes. Exercise, CLA, whole grains, chromium, vanadium...now arginine. The list is solid enough to wonder why every primary care provider does not use these tools as a first line of defense. Dia Care -- Abstracts: Piatti et al. 24 (5): 875 http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/24/5/875

Oxygenated Carotenoid Lutein and Progression of Early Atherosclerosis

This study shows a protective effect of the carotenoid lutein (a cousin of beta carotene) on hardening of the arteries. Something to remember here...it is always beta carotene that gets all the press, and yet nature makes many types of carotenoids and that we need whole foods to get the variety that optimal health needs. Also...some of the best quality multivitamins will also contain a variety of carotenoids. Circulation -- Abstracts: Dwyer et al. 103 (24): 2922 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/24/2922

HRT and Prevention of Nonvertebral Fractures

Remember that the effect that HRT has on bone loss is not a cure...it only slows the loss. Osteoporosis, just like any other chronic disease, has many causes and all of these need to be addressed and CAN be addressed using natural therapeutics--phytoestrogens (soy, flax, whole grains...), exercise, plant based diets, calcium, magnesium and many other nutrients. Hormone Replacement Therapy and Prevention of Nonvertebral Fractures: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials

click here for more information

Common Disorder May Underlie Asthma and IBS

Hey!! We're getting closer to the mark!! One of these days it may occur to the medical powers that be that the GI tract has a major impact on our overall health. Antibiotics, poor lifestyle habits, acid blockers, stress, NSAIDs can all alter the flora of the GI tract and lead to IBS symptoms. Antibiotics have shown to increase risk of asthma and this risk is most likely mediated through alterations in the flora. So of course a common disorder may underlie--destruction of normal, healthy flora!

Am J Gastroenterol 2001;96:1511-1516 Asthma appears to be more prevalent among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than among individuals without IBS, which suggests that there are pathophysiological processes common to both conditions, according to Turkish researchers. Dr. Aziz Yazar and colleagues, from the Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, in Mersin, performed pulmonary function tests and noted respiratory symptoms in 133 men and women with IBS and 137 controls. In the IBS group 33.8% of patients had respiratory symptoms, significantly more than in the control group, 5.8%. In addition, 15.8% of the IBS patients but only 1.45% of controls were diagnosed with asthma, Dr. Yazar's group found. Compared with controls, IBS patients had impaired pulmonary function, including significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second, flow after 50% of vital capacity had been exhaled, peak expiratory flow rate, and maximal midexpiratory flow rate. In a previous study, the research team notes, patient responses to a questionnaire showed that & quot;IBS, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and symptomatic bronchial hyper-responsiveness occur together more often than expected and that the conditions are independently associated with each other." Some of the lines of evidence for an association between IBS and asthma, according to the researchers, are that in both disorders there is an altered contractility and smooth muscle tone, the autonomic nervous system is involved, and inflammation probably has an etiologic role.

US Dental groups sued over use of mercury

Remember that the ADA was formed mainly to promote the use of mercury as safe in amalgam fillings. There is now no question that mercury from fillings can and does end up in the bloodstream and breast milk, and that mercury is very toxic to the human nervous system. Not a very good track record for the ADA. And yet they are looked to as an authority when it comes to the use of fluoride in municipal drinking water...

(article) A coalition of public interest groups sued the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA) on Tuesday, claiming they have misled the public about the dangers of mercury in tooth fillings. The lawsuits, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, are the latest salvo in a growing battle over mercury fillings, which opponents say can poison the body with leaking vapors possibly linked to Alzheimer's disease and other neurological problems, especially in children and unborn babies. The dental associations insist that mercury is safe when mixed with other metals and implanted in teeth and that studies have failed to demonstrate that the low level vapors are dangerous. The lawsuits allege violations of California's business and professions code and charge that the ADA and the CDA have issued rules preventing dentists from discussing the dangers of mercury with patients. "The worst thing they are doing is hiding the presence of mercury in fillings — which they call silver amalgam — and trying to keep dentists from saying the 'M' word and keep consumers from hearing the 'M' word," plaintiffs' attorney Charles Brown said. "These fillings are 50% mercury." "We consider it to be safe and the science certainly indicates that it is," CDA spokeswoman Linda Seifert said, adding that her organization advocates that dentists explain the risks of any procedure to patients. Fred Peterson, a spokesman for the ADA, said he could not discuss the lawsuit but issued a prepared statement which maintains that the fillings are safe. The National Institutes of Health are conducting clinical trials to investigate the effects of mercury fillings in children. Other studies of mercury in fillings have been inconclusive. Similar lawsuits have been filed in federal court in Maryland by dentists and patients, while state legislatures in New York and Maine are considering bills that would require dentists to disclose to patients the makeup of their fillings.

Pondering Vioxx: Easier on Stomach, Harder on Heart?

Remember one thing in medicine--there is no miracle cure and anything that is advertised as the best thing since slice whole grain bread-you can bet there's some major side effects. So, when it comes to joint pain relievers, you can take one of the new COX-2 inhibitors and maybe have less chance of death from bleeding ulcers, but you may die of a fatal MI instead. Some choice, huh? How about exercise, chiropractic care, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM instead?

Joint Letter 7(4):37,44-46, 2001 Pharmaceutical giants Pharmacia and Merck recently petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relax gastrointestinal (GI) safety warnings on the labels of their respective COX-2 inhibitors. Last month, we reported on Pharmacia's submission for celecoxib (Celebrex). This month, we examine Merck's request for rofecoxib (Vioxx). As of press time, the FDA had not issued a final decision.Vioxx is easier on the stomach than generic naproxen. But it may be harder on the heart, according to recent briefings presented to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Arthritis Advisory Committee.On February 8, representatives from Merck presented data to the advisory committee from Merck's huge randomized VIGOR trial, which compared Vioxx to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen in 8076 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The advisory committee also heard from the FDA's own in-house analysts, who offered interpretations of the VIGOR data that sometimes conflicted with Merck's. After factoring in all the safety data on GI benefits and cardiovascular risks, the FDA's medical officers concluded that the highly touted COX-2 inhibitor was no safer than naproxen. They recommended the Vioxx label be modified to include more cautions, rather than fewer. "To a patient it, doesn't matter whether you end up in an intensive care unit with a big GI bleed or whether you end up in an intensive care unit with a myocardial infarction," noted advisory committee member Steven Nissen, MD, reflecting this concern. "They are both pretty bad things to have happen."