November 9, 2004 Research Update

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

Impairment of coronary circulation by acute hyperhomocysteinaemia and reversal by antioxidant vitamins

So, while the rest of "mainstream" medicine is trying to decide whether it is financially viable and 100% needed to check for homocysteine levels, research once again moves on to find out how to positively influence a negative factor to our health. It was nice to see this study use higher levels of supplements (800 IU Vit E and 1,000 mg Vit C). The rest of the study speaks for itself.

Impairment of coronary circulation by acute hyperhomocysteinaemia and reversal by antioxidant vitamins - J Intern Med, Vol 25..

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Oxidized LDL in plasma is a prognostic marker of subclinical atherosclerosis

Remember that it is not LDL cholesterol that does damage to us--LDL needs to gets damaged to form ox-LDL before it becomes damaging to our blood vessels. So, I have frequently reassured patients who have made significant lifestyle changes but were unable to lower cholesterol below maybe 210 or 230 with lifestyle changes. With a high intake of fruits and veggies, compounds in these foods will protect the cholesterol from getting damaged and causing damage to our blood vessels.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein in plasma is a prognostic marker of subclinical atherosclerosis development in clinically he..

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Cardiovascular Health Promotion in the Schools

This is a wonderful goal of the AHA, but seems to run quite contrary to what one would actually see in today's schools. Poor quality food, junk food vending machines, and only 2-years PE requirement in high school all fall short of demonstrating healthy behaviors to children. But, let's face it. By the time they start school most of their eating patterns are already established. Yup. The parents. It needs to start months BEFORE PREGNANCY, continue through pregnancy and be a lifestyle exposure for the new baby and infant and toddler. Kids are most often a reflection of their parents in terms of lifestyle and diet. What message are today's parents sending?

Cardiovascular Health Promotion in the Schools: A Statement for Health and Education Professionals and Child Health Advocates..

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Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in American Adolescents

Following on the previous article. Are you sitting down? TWO-THIRDS of the 1960 children in this study had at least one metabolic abnormality consistant with Syndrome X and 1 in 10 met the qualifications of Syndrome X. Can anyone out there PLEASE help me understand why a condition with a higher prevalance than any other condition known to modern man is so blantantly ignored and undertreated? How about slapping a few malpractice suits on doctors who give statin drugs for a patient who's triglycerides are greatly elevated? Or a ob/gyn that prescribes the pill for a patient with polycystic ovaries? What will it take to bring this issue, which is VERY amenable to lifestyle changes, to the forefront of medicine where it belongs?

Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in American Adolescents: Findings From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examinati..

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A Chromosome 21 Critical Region Does Not Cause Specific Down Syndrome Phenotypes

Now, some may take issue with this, but for years now I have said that we may one day find a defect in DS patients that is leading to the constellation of symptoms consistent with the syndrome. This defect will probably manifest early in development in utero. For those who may think I'm out on a limb, how about phenylketonuria? Prior to the identification of the enzymatic defect and institution of the necessary strict diets, these infants' mental retardation was just considered a birth defect. Now people with PKU are just as normal as any other baby. Might we someday be in the same position with DS?

Science -- Abstracts: Olson et al. 306 (5696): 687

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A Possible Link Between Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Efficiency and Age-Induced Insulin Resistance

What an intriguing study...this suggests the hypothesis that, as we get older, our mitochondria actually function MORE efficiently. As such, the cells become more efficient and require less fuel to survive--the extra then gets stored. I'm not sure I agree with this one--most studies indicate mitochondria dysfunction (not improved function) is a contributing factor to development of insulin resistance. But we'll keep an eye on the research as it develops.

A Possible Link Between Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Efficiency and Age-Induced Insulin Resistance -- Iossa et al. 53 (11): ..

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The National Cholesterol Education Program Diet vs a Diet Lower in Carbohydrates and Higher in Protein and Monounsaturated Fat

For those of you that have not picked up my disdain for "big, important national organization lifestyle recommendation programs," this should clear up any ambiguities... Here we have the NCEP diet--you know, the one that all doctors should recommend to their patients to lower their cholesterol, and, ironically, the same group recommendations that suggests more aggressive lipid lowering drug therapy--compared to a diet that recommendations good quality protein, fats and carbs (the MLC diet). So, weight loss was greater in the MLC group by about 2 lbs per month. Not a big deal. But wait, only the MLC group showed positive changes in lipid levels!! Maybe that's why the NCEP group recommends more aggressive drug therapy--because their dietary recommendations don't work!!

Arch Intern Med -- Abstract: The National Cholesterol Education Program Diet vs a Diet Lower in Carbohydrates and Higher in P..

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Metabolic Significance of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Nonobese, Nondiabetic Adults

This isn't the first time this relationship has been seen, but make sure you don't forget to add liver problems to your list of negative effects of Syndrome X/hyperinsulinemia. See what I mean about malpractice if a doc just focuses on cholesterol lowering without identifying the true cause?

Arch Intern Med -- Abstract: Metabolic Significance of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Nonobese, Nondiabetic Adults, Octo..

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The Link between Selenium and Chemoprevention: A Case for Selenoproteins

Selenium is a major component of many of the body's heavy duty antioxidant enzymes so a deficiency of selenium could easily been seen to be linked with many conditions, including cancer. This is yet another reason to be taking a good quality multivitamin rather than those lower quality "one per day" cheap things.

The Link between Selenium and Chemoprevention: A Case for Selenoproteins -- Diwadkar-Navsariwala and Diamond 134 (11): 2899 -..

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Protective Effects of High Dietary Potassium: Nutritional and Metabolic Aspects

It is interesting to note that many researchers do not feel it is the sodium that is bad for you, but rather that the salt we use in it's processed form, does not have potassium in it. So, using a salt such as sea salt or Bio Salt (a salt with mineral salts similar to plasma) would in no way be harmful and in many cases may actually be protective. It is also interesting to note that, at least with my thinking, that I don't think of potassium as being directly preventative for much. This article reminded me that potassium is used by the kidneys as an acid buffer. So, potassium keeps the blood from become too acidic--a condition associated with much negative health consequences.

Protective Effects of High Dietary Potassium: Nutritional and Metabolic Aspects -- Demigné et al. 134 (11): 2903 -- Journal o..

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