May 5, 2003 Research Update

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

Tryptophan concentrations and ratios below normal in obese subjects

As a background, tryptophan crosses the blood-brain barrier and gets converted to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter used for many purposes included onset of sleep and satiety. In order for tryptophan to cross the BBB effectively, there cannot be much competition from other amino acids. In this study, the researchers found that plasma tryptophan concentrations are low. The significance of this finding is uncertain at this point, but the addition of 5-HTP supplementation may be a good route to take for obesity.

AJCN -- Abstracts: Breum et al. 77 (5): 1112

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Fatty acid composition and measures of immune cell function

With so much worry out today about the SARS virus and the flu and West Nile Virus we are looking for emergency cures when we seem to forget that a healthy lifestyle is still one of our most powerful tools in the battle against foreign invaders. In this study, the researchers found markers of effectiveness of immune cells were reduced with saturated and with high omega-6 to omega-3 ratios.

AJCN -- Abstracts: Kew et al. 77 (5): 1278

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Nutrition proficiency positively correlated w/ perceived quality of nutrition training of family physicians

Learning how to use nutrition and nutritional supplements effectively is something that really does require constant education. The nutritional background I had after leaving chiropractic school was merely a springboard for what I've learned since graduating. If physicians are not even getting the basics to start with, it does not give these physicians the tools they need to work effectively with natural medicine. This is one of the strongest reasons why supplements should not become prescription items--the only physicians who would be able to prescribe them would be the ones with the least training in their use.

AJCN -- Abstracts: Mihalynuk et al. 77 (5): 1330

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Arterial Stiffness Increases W/ Deteriorating Glucose Tolerance Status

More and more evidence is mounting for the contribution that insulin resistance plays in vascular dynamics, both directly and indirectly. Insulin resistance slows the breakdown of ADMA levels, thus blocking nitric oxide's vasodilatory effects. Hyperinsulinemia lowers contractility of blood vessels. Insulin resistance increases homocysteine levels which then affects formation of plaque on the arterial walls. The list goes on, and one thing is clear--ANY patient with any degree of high blood pressure needs to address the issue of insulin resistance.

Circulation -- Abstracts: Henry et al. 107 (16): 2089

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Baclofen on 24 hour pH metry and symptoms in GERD

Okay, so it is interesting that a muscle relaxer such as baclofen has a beneficial effect on reflux disease. However, what I find particularly disconcerting is that this class of drugs raised the pH of the stomach (essentially lowered acid production). Given that many patients (with and many without GI complaints) do not make enough stomach acid, the fact that a drug unrelated (at least until this study..) to acid production would interfere with this essential physiologic action opens up a wide Pandora's box of downstream mayhem.

Gut -- Abstracts: Ciccaglione and Marzio 52 (4): 464

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Prospective Study of Sugar and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women

Don't you just love articles that throw a wrench in the works of what we commonly believe? Personally, I find that I really have to think more precisely in defending beliefs I have obtained in my research when articles such as this arise. Basically, these researchers found no association between sugar intake and Type 2 diabetes. Looking at the full text, no real taboos jumpted out at me (funding by major companies, poor approximation of sugar intake by dietary questionaires, small sample size...); however, I do have a few comments. First, this study looked only at 6 years. My feelings are that diabetes develops over decades of poor dietary choices--initially the body can adapt and keep up w/ poor lifestyle choices but ultimately fails with time. Second, this study relied on the ability of study participants to recall generally what that had eaten in the past. This leads to all sorts of potential errors and does not have the power to differentiate whole grains from refined carbs. Maybe the whole grains were protective enough to override the detrimental effects of refined carbs in a group this size. We just can't tell from this study. My recommendation--continue to avoid processed sugars like the plague.

Dia Care -- Abstracts: Janket et al. 26 (4): 1008

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WHO's diet report prompts food industry backlash

Not really much to comment on on this one, but I feel everyone should know about the backroom politics that go into the making of policy. This is one of the reasons I do not strongly support the American Cancer Society, American Diabetic Association and the American Heart Association. Their recommendations are to weak willed because of the industry influence (many of which are on the boards of these groups!!!)

The Journal : Current Issue

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Increased intestinal permeability as a cause of fluctuating postprandial blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetic patients

This article really reminds us of (or should wake others up to...) the importance of the GI tract to every other system and every other disease. Increased intestinal permeability will allow larger molecules to enter into the body and increase the antigenic load that the immune system and liver have to deal with. Restoring permeability can be done with careful attention to diet, avoidance of common allergens, probiotics and soluble fiber intake. I'm sure the info in this article will also pertain to Type 2 diabetics as well.

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Cost effectiveness of physiotherapy, manual therapy, and general practitioner care for neck pain

Being that manual therapy is the bread and butter of my practice, I had to add this one into the Update...

bmj.com Abstracts: Bos et al. 326 (7395): 911

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