March 15, 2001 Research Update

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

Glycemic Index and Serum High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Not that this is a big surprise, but eating refined carbs (known to have high glycemic indices--the rate at which sugar shows up in the bloodstream after ingestion of specifc types of carbs) will lower HDL levels in the blood. In addition, insulin (produced in higher levels with higher glycemic index foods) will stimulate HMG CoA reductase; the enzyme that makes cholesterol in our bodies. Higher total cholesterol and lower HDL...the perfect prescription for heart disease. Just for added measure, refined carbs are low in folic acid and B6; thus potentially having a negative effect on homocysteine levels. Glycemic Index and Serum High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration Among US Adults http://archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/v161n4/abs/ioi00112.html

Anti–TNF Therapy With Etanercept in Advanced Heart Failure

While I am wholeheartedly against blocking the action of such a powerful messenger within the body such as tumor necrosis factor, this article does promote a very interesting point--reducing inflammatory mediators can improve the function of the heart. How many cardiologist are familar with anti-inflammatory natural therapies and lifestyle approaches? Sadly, the number is far too few. Circulation -- Abstracts: Bozkurt et al. 103 (8): 1044 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/8/1044

Chronic Infections and the Risk of Carotid Atherosclerosis

Here is an interesting concept. This article suggests that "Markers of systemic inflammation...and circulating bacterial endotoxin...were elevated in subjects with chronic infections and predictive of an increased risk of atherosclerosis." Now, we know that a major source of bacterial endotoxins are from bad bacteria in our gut. Probiotics can lower the ability of endotoxins from the gut to make it into the circulation. Now, using the A=B=C thus A=C method, could it be that probiotics have the potential to lower your risk of heart disease? Circulation -- Abstracts: Kiechl et al. 103 (8): 1064 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/8/1064

Changes in homocysteine in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, and this study demonstrates that patients with decreased thyroid function have higher homocysteine levels. This once again demonstrates the intricate weave that all body systems have on one another and the need for a multifactorial approach to disease management. Synergy Abstract http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/journals/processfree2.asp?contentid=cen%2E2001%2E2&filetype=abstracts&article=90589

Blood/Hair Mercury in Children and Women of Childbearing Age 1999

This is a nice overview article on mercury exposure in the US. It covers types of fish known to contain high levels of mercury (shark is on the list--beware shark cartilage supplements!!). This article does express a concern that mercury levels found in the blood and hair of 10% of the participants were just under "safe" levels. I usually consider any levels of a toxic substance that a governmental agency such as the CDC says is "safe" as definately being too high. I believe that these agencies come to a safety level that is somewhere in between what is really safe and what the industrial companys want pushed through. Blood and Hair Mercury Levels in Young Children and Women of Childbearing Age --- United States, 1999 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5008a2.htm

Lipoprotein(a) Level Linked to Risk of Coronary Events

We've talked about "nontraditional" risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as homocysteine, CRP, fibrinogen and lipoprotein a. This study closely examined the role that lipoprotein a plays in relation to heart disease and found that the risk of high levels is greater when other cardiovascular risk factors are also present, such as low HDL, high LDL and hypertension. Could we envision a better way to express the importance of a global approach to heart disease? The one-cause-one-cure idea can be thrown out the window when it comes to chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, diabtes, osteoporosis and cancer.

J Am Coll Cardiol 2001;37:434-439 Perhaps ending a longstanding controversy, a new population-based study connects elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) with increased coronary risk in middle-aged men, especially those with high LDL cholesterol levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, hypertension and/or other risk factors. Dr. Arnold von Eckardstein, from the Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster, Germany, and colleagues collected data on 788 men, 35 to 65 years of age, who participated in the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster study. Over 10 years of follow-up, the researchers evaluated levels of lipoprotein(a) as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors. During that period, 44 men experienced myocardial infarctions, while the remaining 744 subjects survived without a major coronary event or stroke, according to the research team's report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology for February. Dr. von Eckardstein's group found a 2.7 times increased risk for coronary events among men whose lipoprotein(a) levels were 0.2 g/L or more, compared with subjects with lower levels. The risk was especially prominent in men with LDL cholesterol levels of 4.1 mmol/L or more (relative risk 2.6), and men with HDL cholesterol of 0.9 mmol/L or less (relative risk 8.3). The risk was also strongly associated with hypertension (relative risk 3.2). "Because lipoprotein(a) increases the risk of coronary events strongly depending on the presence of additional coronary risk factors, it is imperative to strictly control additional risk factors in individuals with elevated lipoprotein(a)," Dr. von Eckardstein and colleagues conclude.

Dietary Supplement Recalled for Containing Prescription Anxiety Drug

It does appear that many of the "contaminated" dietary supplements center around many chinese botanicals. This is unfortunate because it will cast a bad light over traditional chinese medicine. Hopefully, the message that arises from these episodes is that TCM is not a "do it yourself" method of healing and, much like functional medicine concepts, should only be done under the guidance of a COMPETENT physician.

(article) A dietary supplement promoted to treat a wide range of conditions, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, is the subject of a nationwide recall after an investigation revealed that the product contains the prescription anxiety drug chlordiazepoxide. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Health Services are warning consumers not to take Anso Comfort Capsules, which were sold by Arcadia, California-based NuMeridian via phone and mail order. Chlordiazepoxide, which is prescribed under the brand name Librium, is classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a controlled substance. The drug can have dangerous interactions with other medications, can intensify the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, and may be habit forming. The presence of chlordiazepoxide was not revealed on Anso Comfort Capsules' label.

Margarine Linked to Allergic Sensitization in Boys

The use of margarine was shown to increase levels of IgE in the blood stream of boys. IgE is typically considered our "allergic" antibody and is responsible for many of the unwanted side effects found in hayfever and asthma. Margarine is one of those "foods" that is very hard to understand why it is on the market at all, and even harder to understand why anyone would actually ingest this substance.

Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001;163:277-279 Margarine consumption appears to be associated with an increase in IgE production in young boys, German researchers report. Dr. Bolte and colleagues, from the GSF National research Center for Environment and Health in Neuherberg, used data from a cross-sectional study to examine the link between margarine and butter consumption and IgE production in 2348 children. Prior studies had indicated a relationship between dietary fat and IgE, and the authors sought to further characterize this association by fat type. The use of margarine, as compared with butter, was associated with a 30% increase in the risk of allergic sensitization and a more than 40% increase in rhinitis symptoms, the investigators say in the January 1st issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Further analysis revealed that this association was restricted to boys, in whom the corresponding odds ratios for sensitization and rhinitis symptoms were 1.57 and 1.76, respectively. Exclusive margarine consumption did not appear to increase the risks of physician-diagnosed asthma or hay fever in the population as a whole.