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May 10, 2001 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Novel Common Genetic Risk Factor for Lumbar Disk Disease
With the completion of the human genome project there seems to have been this burst of wanting to blame genetics for the chronic diseases of today's society. With diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, it is shown consistently that environment plays a much larger part in disease determination than genetics. In addition, all these diseases are multi-modal, meaning that, if genetics do play a part, it is a series of multiple genes all contributing to an end result and not likely to benefit from genetic manipulation towards a single gene. My thoughts on a genetic factor for LBP are based on what I see in my office. Most patients have experienced some event that created an initial injury and they never completely healed from that injury. Future episodes of LBP are just extensions of that initial injury. There may be some genetic factor contributing to the condition in a small percentage of the population, but money would be better spent promoting chiropractic for LBP than discovering some pharmaceutical to fix the underlying genetic problem. Identification of a Novel Common Genetic Risk Factor for Lumbar Disk Disease http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v285n14/abs/joc01517.html
Biomechanical activation of vascular endothelium as a determinant of its functional phenotype
I know the title is a little technical, but this article is one of the most staggering that I have come across in awhile. Basically, this article reviews the findings that the genes associated with vascular endothelium (the lining of blood vessels) can change their expression based upon stresses placed upon it. This article reviews biomechanical stresses, but be assured that if this article or a future one focuses on biochemical factors the results will be the same. We are not talking about genetic hardwiring here. We are talking about the plasticity of the body to adapt to changes it is placed under using the same genes. PNAS -- Abstracts: García-Cardeña et al. 98 (8): 4478 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/8/4478
Retroviral RNA in the CSF and brains of individuals w/ schizophrenia
Just thought I would throw this article into the mix. Psychiatrists and counselors today give little credence to the idea that physiology places a role in mental health. Granted, I am biased because of my studies, but I feel that physiology may indeed be the major player in many forms of mental health. Which would, of course, mean that any patient with a mental health problem, be it depression, anxiety or schizophrenia, would benefit greatly if not entirely from nutritional and lifestyle modification. PNAS -- Abstracts: Karlsson et al. 98 (8): 4634 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/8/4634
Markers of cumulative biological risk: studies of successful aging
This article reviews the use of allostatic load (AL) to determine biological risks of aging. AL is an index that uses 10 parameters of biological functioning to give an overall level of risk. I have seen computer programs that attempt to give a biological age to the patients. I have very little faith in these because they do not address real questions (they ask for seat belt use, check BP and cholesterol, exercise levels...). Ironically, none of the 10 factors in AL are used on these questionaires. I have to mention one more thing for those of you that just read my comments...6 of the 10 factors are associated with Syndrome X. Go figure...a disease state that most of the medical profession is unaware of, a disease state that is highly modifiable with nutrition and natural medicine, and one that contributes to 60% of aging? And we wonder why medicine in the US is ranked so poorly. PNAS -- Abstracts: Seeman et al. 98 (8): 4770 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/8/4770
Bile salts and aliphatic ionic surfactants on lymphocyte proliferation
Another big long title and the overall article is not much clearer. Overall, bile salts are produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder until released by stimulation from a fatty meal. BIle salts have traditionally only been viewed as substances used to emulsify the fats and aid in digestion. That view has been expanding and now includes the findings that bile salts have some immunosupressive effects. Synergy : European Journal of Clinical Investigation 31 (4), 367-373 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/eci/2001/31/4/abstract_eci778.asp?journal=eci&issueid=5195&artid=99897&cid=eci.2001.1& ftype=abstracts
Circadian Cortisol in Response to a 72-hour Fast in RA Patients
Fasting has long been a tool used in functional medicine and this study does show one aspect of why this is beneficial. An increase in cortisol, the body's own natural anti-inflammatory hormone, is increase in patients while fasting. A few things to consider here before you go on a 72 hour fast. First, one of the main goals of a fast is to halt the insulting of the body with foods that the patient may be allergic to while giving the liver a chance to eliminate backlogged toxins. Next, I always recommend therapeutic fasting--replenshing the body with substances needed for healthy detoxification (supporting both phase I and II). Finally, cortisol can be a very damaging hormone if the body is exposed to it for extended periods. It is designed to be produced in response to stress to help our bodies get through the stressful period and then be gone. Proper attention to adrenal funciton is essential for maintaining a healthy, balanced cortisol response. Springer LINK: Clinical Rheumatology - Abstract Volume 20 Issue 2 (2001) pp 85-87 http://link.springer.de/link/service/journals/10067/bibs/1020002/10200085.htm
The tightening grip of big pharma
This is a very important article to read for those of you living life with blinders on. The most disturbing news article appeared last Sunday in the AZ Republic as the front page story. The Valley of the Sun is experiencing a severe shortage of pharmacists. It was made out to be a serious situation. To me, the story was sickening to the effect that we as a population are not getting the message. Pharmaceuticals are dangerous. The drug companies control the research and many doctors are unwilling to report obvious side effects as what they are. You are a guinea pig each and every time you take a pharmaceutical drug. Remember that. And, please, read this commentary. The Journal : Back Issues http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol357/iss9263/full/llan.357.9263.editorial_and_review.15839.1