May 16, 2002 Research Update

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

Highly unsaturated fatty acids and ADHD-related symptoms

It is so wonderful to see research done into natural therapeutics for ADHD considering that this avenue is rarely addressed prior to pharmaceutical intervention. This study shows an effect on performance with supplementation of HUFAs. Seeing the diets of many of these children with behavioral disorders, it is not a stretch that at least some of them may be deficient in essential fatty acids. Think of how wonderful it would be to raise a generation of children who are taught that lifestyle factors are the first line of treatment for health problems instead of reaching for the medicine cabinet...

Click here for more information

Metaanalysis of Severe Upper GI Complications of NSAIDs

This huge review of available literature identifies a 3x greater risk of severe GI bleed with NSAID use. This included as little as four days of use. We need to stop thinking of NSAIDs as benign drugs used to treat everything from minor headache to severe pain. It is rare that a chiropractic patient in my office needs to continue use of pain meds. It would be highly likely that an increase in utilization of chiropractic in the general population would drop the estimated 16,000 deaths per year from this class of drugs. Abstract:

Click here for more information

Doctors warned to be wary of new drugs

How many of you have been to your doctor's office and was very happy when he opened up the magic cabinet and pulled out samples of a drug for your condition? You were happy and thankful because of this gracious gesture. Guess what? Remember the cute little guinea pig at the pet store running around on the little wheel? This article brings to light the reality of new drugs (typically less then 7 yrs old) and the fact that most of the side effects (in same cases lethal) are not found until after the drug is released. This article has some interesting and shocking statistics. bmj.com Josefson 324 (7346): 1113

Click here for more information

Increased Bone Density in Habitual Tea Drinkers

We've seen this title before. This is one of the examples I cite on how Mother Nature's wisdom is better than our own, and how synergisms that we don't even comprehend are at work. Tea contains tannic acid and phytic acid--two substances known to chelate with certain minerals and avoid their absorption. Calcium is one of these. So, looking at tea with blinders on, we may erroneously conclude that certain compounds in tea would lead to poor bone health. Research shows quite the opposite. I believe Mother Nature put in other compounds to counteract the chelating effects of the tannins and phytates. Epidemiological Evidence of Increased Bone Mineral Density in Habitual Tea Drinkers

Click here for more information

Cardiac Membrane Fatty Acid Composition Modulates Myocardial Oxygen Consumption and Postischemic Recovery of Contractile Function

In English, this means that fish is good for the heart. Circulation -- Abstracts: Pepe and McLennan 105 (19): 2303

Click here for more information

The Prevention or Delay of Type 2 Diabetes

This is a very extensive review of whether or not we should aggressively pursue interventions to lower diabetes risk. No wonder diabetes rates are skyrocketing!! While the research bookworms gather evidence to make a solid recommendation the clinicians don't move on the increasing volume of evidence. Diabetes and precursor altered insulin sensitivity is one of those conditions that I love to address in practice because the list is virtually endless as to natural management. And let, while we eagerly await acedamia's recommendation, patients are developing diabetes and hyperinsulinemic complications right under our noses. One day (probably not anytime soon..) we will begin to use natural and safe interventions decades before the final word is out on their effectiveness. Dia Care -- American Diabetes Association 25 (4): 742

Click here for more information

L acidophilus vs diarrhoeagenic E coli in human enterocyte-like cells

Many of you are reading this article while yawning, thinking "not another boring probiotic benefit article--doesn't he have anything new to share??" Yet, probiotic use is still virtually unheard of in clinically mainstream medicine. Why? I can't figure it out. I have seen many patients improve from a variety of conditions/symptoms with simple probiotic use. The research is their, we just have to start making clinical use of these safe and effective tools. Gut -- Abstracts: Liévin-Le Moal et al. 50 (6): 803

Click here for more information

Celiac Disease After Onset of Type 1 Diabetes

This article looks at celiac disease (and allergy to gluten containing grains such as wheat) as being associated with type I diabetes in children. I would take a different view of the results. What if the altered physiology of the GI tract from food allergy turn out to be a promoting factor for increased upregulation of the immune system leading to autoimmunty against the pancreas? 60% of those identified had celiac disease at the time of diagnosis of diabetes. Sounds like a rational hypothesis to me.. Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Barera et al. 109 (5): 833

Click here for more information