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May 9, 2002 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Polyphenols inhibit pancreatic cancer growth
I realize that, to some of you, this seems like old news (and it is...). For those of you new to Updates, fruits and veggies contain literally thousands of substances we have not even identified yet that protect us from just about every disease on the planet...
Article Abstract
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Hep A Infections in the US, Implications for Childhood Immunization
This is one that really irritates me. Hepatitis A infections in children are frequently so minor they are not even noticed. Adult cases are where problems can occur. However, we vaccinate the children as an attempt to cut into the cycle of the transmission of the virus. Because children are accessible and we can mandate stuff like vaccinations. Remember the next time your child or someone you know gets a hep A vaccine--your child is being used.
Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Armstrong and Bell 109 (5): 839
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Zinc for the Treatment of Acute Diarrhea in Young Children
I'm not sure of the mechanism by which zinc would work directly, but indirectly zinc is essential for healthy immune function. To this mix of zinc I would also include probiotics in the several billions CFUs per day.
Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Strand et al. 109 (5): 898
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Drug companies maintain "astounding" profits
Is anyone surprised about this title? Is anyone surprised that the healthcare system is so overburdened from pharmaceutical payments? The things that still amazes me is that direct to consumer advertising is effective. It absolutely, positively should not be. Prescriptions given to a patient should be influenced by nothing except medical necessity for the patient. So much for a perfect world...
bmj.com Gottlieb 324 (7345): 1054b
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Dietary nitrate, mutagenic concentrations of NO at the GE junction
Now this is a convoluted pathway...we eat processed meats high in nitrates. This gets absorbed in the GI tract and makes it back to the saliva where bacteria in the mouth convert the nitrate to nitrite. The nitrite is swallowed and turned to nitric oxide by gastric juice. This elevated nitric oxide is believed to be a contributing factor to cancer risk in the upper stomach and lower esophagus. Talk about a physiology/biochemistry lesson!! Just remember this next time you are about to take a bite of processed meat...
Gastroenterology Online
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The Role of Thyroid Hormone in Blood Pressure Homeostasis
I must admit that the evaluation of hypertension and factors associated with it do not generally include evaluating thyroid function. This article suggests that thyroid function can indeed be a factor in high blood pressure and should be added to the list of therapeutic avenues for anyone with hypertension. Add to this lowering insulin resistance, exercise, consuming healthy fats and lots of fruits and veggies and you are well on your way to lowering blood pressure naturally.
JCEM -- Abstracts: Fommei and Iervasi 87 (5): 1996
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Menstrual Cycle Irregularity and Risk for Future CVD
While this is not a big surprise if you understand physiology, the irony comes in with common medical management of menstrual problems. To my knowledge, I have come across two major treatment approaches: birth control pill and hysterectomy. While the first may seem a little more benign, consider this...the BCP is known to increase insulin resistance and thereby increase risk of CVD. Still sound like a good approach? Instead, try supporting hepatic detox of estrogens, fixing constipation (which encourages resorption of conjugated estrogens that were on their way "out"), avoid xenoestrogen exposure and using progesterone cream. In contrast to the BCP, this approach would actually lower risk of CVD.
JCEM -- Abstracts: Solomon et al. 87 (5): 2013
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Morning Light Therapy for Treatment of Antepartum Depression
Now we must be very careful instituting therapy such as this. While we know that many antidepressants are approved by the FDA for use in nursing mothers, this light therapy thing should be avoided until proper studies are done identifying the risks. All kidding aside this small study showed a tremendous benefit for a condition that can be problematic to treat, especially if the mother is nursing. With a therapy like being exposed to light in the morning, why wouldn't anyone try this as a first line of attack? Couple that with exercise and proper diet and I'm sure response will skyrocket.
American Journal of Psychiatry -- Abstracts: Oren et al. 159 (4): 666
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Tizanidine Helpful in Chronic Daily Headache
I'm sorry, but articles looking for new medications for headaches always irritates me. First of all, most patients have multiple types of headaches (and while "migraine" seems to be the wastebasket diagnosis most are given, I find most are not migraine at all...) so they will need multiple therapeutic angles. I can say with a high degree of confidence that almost every headache patient can achieve full relief within a few weeks if they are willing to following recommendations. We don't need more drugs for a problem we already have a good answer to.
AAN Annual Meeting: Abstract #S25.004. April 2002
Apr 25 — Chronic daily headaches (CDH) of migraine, migrainous, or tension type responded to tizanidine (Zanaflex) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial reported at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Denver, Colorado."Tizanidine is an alpha2-adrenergic agonist that inhibits the release of norepinephrine at both spinal and supraspinal levels (locus ceruleus), with antinociceptive effects that are independent of the endogenous opioid system," write Alvin E. Lake III, and colleagues from Ann Arbor, Michigan.Of 200 patients completing a 4-week, single-blind placebo baseline, 134 met criteria for CDH and were randomized to tizanidine or placebo; 92 completed at least 8 weeks of treatment, and 85 completed the 12-week study.Reduction in headache measures in patients receiving tizanidine were all significant compared with placebo, including headache index, severe and total headache days, peak and average intensity, and headache duration. Outcome was similar in patients with migraine, migrainous, or tension-type headache. Adverse events reported by patients receiving tizandine were generally mild to moderate, and included somnolence in 47%, dizziness in 24%, dry mouth in 23%, and asthenia in 19%. Adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 13 patients, and 2 patients had elevated liver function test levels that returned to normal without intervention."Tizanidine showed superior efficacy over placebo for chronic daily headache (migraine, migrainous, and chronic tension-type headache)," the authors write.
EU Scientists Confirm Hormone-Treated Beef Risks
Okay...so Europe won't take most of our beef because the growth hormones in them pose a potential risk to human health. But here in the United States this same hormone treated beef is perfectly safe. Looking at the fact that we have girls developing breasts at single digit ages possibly due to the "safe" hormones in meat, I would lean just a little more towards Europes' stance...
article
Apr 23 - New checks by European scientists have confirmed fears that using growth hormones on cattle could affect human health, the European Commission said on Tuesday. The findings reinforce opinions issued in 1999 and 2000 on hormone-treated beef, which the EU used to support its ban on them. This resulted in a trade row with the United States where they are used extensively. The European Union's scientific committee, which reviewed 17 case studies, "confirmed that the use of hormones to stimulate the growth of cattle raises a potential risk for consumers' health," the Commission said. The committee "has found no reason to change its earlier opinions issued in 1999 and 2000," it added in a statement. In 1999, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled that the EU's decade-old embargo was illegal and authorised Washington to impose $117 million of sanctions on EU goods in retaliation. In response to the ruling, the Commission promised regularly to evaluate scientific data on hormone use. Talks between Brussels and Washington on beef are ongoing. The EU has offered compensation in the form of increased duty-free access for US meat free of hormones. Under current arrangements, US and Canadian producers can export 11,500 tonnes a year duty-free to the 15-nation EU. "We would prefer a switch from sanctions to compensation. There are ongoing technical talks and we shall see what they deliver," Commission spokesman Anthony Gooch told journalists. The EU executive decided in February to end extra testing of US hormone-free beef for residues due to growing confidence that the meat exported as such contained no banned substances.