May 13, 2004 Research Update

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

Effect of recolonisation with "interfering" alpha streptococci on recurrences of acute and secretory otitis media in children

No one wants to quite come out and say it, but evidence strongly points towards antibiotic use as a contributing factor to recurrent ear infections. Antibiotics will destroy the normal bacterial flora that prevents other, pathogenic bacteria from being able to grow and thrive. All of this in light of the fact that antibiotics don't even have much of an ability to shorten duration of an ear infection.

Entrez PubMed

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Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Impaired Fasting Glucose

This is a nice review article for what is probably the number one contributing factor to increased risk of chronic diseases in Westernized societies.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Impaired Fasting Glucose - April 15, 2004 - American Family Physician

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Metabolic Syndrome: Early Identification and a Proactive Approach Are Warranted

In case you don't believe me, this editorial on the above article puts estimated population with metabolic syndrome at 25%. One quarter of the population has an underlying physiologic defect that is wreaking havoc on their health. Most are blissfully unaware or, worse, being treated symptomatically for high cholesterol--thereby hiding one of the easiest risk factors pointing to metabolic syndrome.

Editorials - April 15, 2004 - American Family Physician

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Economic Implications of Evidence-Based Prescribing for Hypertension

Estimates for cost savings of hypertensive meds range as high as 25% cost savings on the drugs used to treat high blood pressure if physicians would follow the recommendations put out by the medical journals and research. I know as a chiropractor, my reimbursement is constantly in the crosshairs of the insurance company and yet it is pennies compared to costs savings on drugs. It just does not make sense.

JAMA -- Abstracts: Fischer and Avorn 291 (15): 1850

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Measles Outbreak in a Boarding School

An interesting factoid in this report is that the source patient had been fully vaccinated for measles and yet this child caught the measles and gave it too the others. Vaccination rarely provides full long term coverage against the disease, and this protection pales in comparison to immunity from getting the disease.

Measles Outbreak in a Boarding School --- Pennsylvania, 2003

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Dietary Factors and the Risk of Incident Kidney Stones in Younger Women

It is funny how, for many years, patients who have had kidney stones were told to avoid calcium intake (both in food and supplemental). This has never really matched what we would assume from knowledge of physiology. Rather, an environment in the kidney that supports stone growth would be more important than the presence or absence of calcium. So, dietary calcium protects and supplements have no effect. Interestingly, sucrose definately increased the risk of kidney stones.

Arch Intern Med -- Abstracts: Curhan et al. 164 (8): 885

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Closure of patent foramen ovale reduces the frequency of migraine attacks

I find this article very intriguing. A patent foramen ovale is a lack of closure of a flap between the left and right ventricles (we didn't need the lungs in the womb so we just bypassed the lungs--it is supposed to close at birth). So, closing this flap surgically lowered the frequency of migraine attacks. 54 and 62% reduction in patients with and without aura, respectively. This is a tremendous reduction. Might this mean that other therapies designed to increase oxygen delivery and usage (i.e. CoQ10, carnitine, mediation) would have as dramatic effect as well?

Neurology -- Abstracts: Schwerzmann et al. 62 (8): 1399

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Triglycerides Induce Leptin Resistance at the Blood-Brain Barrier

Recall that leptin is a hormone produced by the adipose tissue that is designed to keep our metabolism in balance. More fat=more leptin=less appetite and faster metabolism. The reverse is then true. But, it appears that high triglycerides inhibit the ability of leptin to cross the blood brain barrier and perform its actions. Chalk up another effect of insulin resistance elevating triglyceride levels. It is rare that, whether in my office or giving a presentation, that patients know their triglyceride levels. They all know their cholesterol, and yet the relationship between cholesterol and triglycerides tells you much about why these values may be elevated.

Diabetes -- Abstracts: Banks et al. 53 (5): 1253

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Effect of Vitamin D on Falls

We are just beginning to tap into the knowledge of the extensive effects that vitamin D has on our body. Given that vitamin D levels can be increased dramatically by some moderate sunlight exposure (i.e. 30 seconds in July in Phoenix), everyone, especially the elderly, should be soaking up some rays every day.

JAMA -- Abstracts: Bischoff-Ferrari et al. 291 (16): 1999

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Long-term calorie restriction is highly effective in reducing the risk for atherosclerosis in humans

For all of you out there looking for THE anti-aging program, this is it. Time and again, calorie restriction without nutrient restriction shows much benefit to our markers of health. Of course, true to form, researchers are trying to find out if there is a compound or pathway stimulated by calorie restriction that can be mimic artificially which all the mess of changing your lifestyle.

PNAS -- Abstracts: Fontana et al. 101 (17): 6659

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