November 14, 2002 Research Update

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

Diindolylmethane Alters Gene Expression in Human Keratinocytes

This lab study showed that DIM (a substance found in cruciferous veggies that has shown the ability to affect detoxification of estrogen in a favorable way to protect against several types of cancer) affects the gene expression of skin cells in a favorable way by shutting down the proliferation of the human papilloma virus. HPV has been linked to increased risk of several types of epithelial cancers.

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Carter et al. 132 (11): 3314

Click here for more information

Switch Honey for Refined Carbs Protects Rats from Hypertriglyceridemic and Prooxidative Effects of Fructose

I generally consider honey as a good alternative to many other types of sweeteners and recommend it often. This article supports my "Mother Nature knew what she was doing" concept in that, although honey does have a high fructose content, it does not result in the same negative metabolic effects as added fructose. Conversely, it actually seems to protects rats from oxidative damage in this study.

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Busserolles et al. 132 (11): 3379

Click here for more information

Energy Imbalance and Prostate Cancer

This is an interesting concept with prostate cancer, and does seem to fit with other observations. This review article found associations with excess (above expenditure) caloric intake and risk of prostate cancer as well as with more advanced cases of prostate cancer. This fits with a few other concepts. First, caloric restriction w/o nutrient restriction has consistently shown life span extension in mammals, and cancer risk reduction across the board may very well be a factor in the longevity. Second, IGF-1, a hormone that has been related to risk of prostate cancer, is increased via insulin and insulin levels would generally increase with higher caloric intakes. You could add a low caloric diet to treatment for prostate cancer.

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Platz 132 (11): 3471S

Click here for more information

N-Nitroso & Precursors in Hot Dogs and in GI & Feces of Rats and Mice

Here's one of those hot news items!! Ground up hot dog fractions are mutagenic!! Wow!! Who could've guessed?

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Mirvish et al. 132 (11): 3526S

Click here for more information

Zinc started during diarrhoea on morbidity and mortality

This is the latest in a string of research supporting the use of zinc in children with acute diarrhea. Add to this list of therapeutic agents for diarrhea probiotic supplementation and rice. Of interest in this study is that zinc supplementation during onset of diarrhea also reduced risk of acquiring pneumonia within the next 2 to 3 months.

bmj.com Abstracts: Baqui et al. 325 (7372): 1059

Click here for more information

What does zinc do?

This is an editorial to the above article and is a nice review stressing just how incredibly important zinc is in human health and normal physiology.

bmj.com Berger 325 (7372): 1062

Click here for more information

Study of methylphenidate & lithium in adults with ADHD

A recent lecture by a near brilliant PhD in biochemistry brought this topic to mind. This study found lithium as effective as methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADHD. Keep in mind that, although lithium has some negative associations with it, safe forms requiring much lower dosages are currently available. Interestingly, although this article showed equal effectiveness, a PubMed search revealed no further or previous studies on lithium therapy and thousands on methylphenidate....Guess which one is patentable....?

Entrez-PubMed

Click here for more information

Antibiotics by PCPs for Children w/ Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

If this article is not a truly sad reflection on the medical community keeping current with the medical literature I do not know what is. A mainstream medical journal for pediatrics (among many others) have been literally screaming for less antibiotic use for years now. The result? In general, relatively few docs seem to be getting the message. If begging in mainstream pediatric journals does not work, I'm not entirely sure anything will.

Antibiotic Prescribing by Primary Care Physicians for Children With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Click here for more information

Use It or Lose It - Activity May Be the Best Treatment for Aging

This is truly a wonderful editorial that reviews and briefly debunks some of the more common anti-aging therapies and supports the concepts of good old fashioned activity and healthy living as the best approach to longevity. Truly a must read.

Use It or Lose It: Activity May Be the Best Treatment for Aging

Click here for more information

Inflammatory mediators are induced by dietary glycotoxins, a major risk factor for diabetic angiopathy

I must admit that this is a new concept for me. The fact that heating foods can result in glycated end products (sugar residues irreversibly damaging proteins) that are then absorbed and create negative health impacts in humans is something I had not heard of before. But appearantly it is well accepted in the research community and this study supports a strong connection between these products in the diet and inflammation. This would suggest that cooking foods should be avoided as much as possible when it comes to diabetes.

Vlassara et al., 10.1073/pnas.242407999

Click here for more information