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November 29, 2001 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
gamma-Tocopherol, the major form of vit E in the US diet
This is a nice wake up call for many people out there. When we speak of vit E, we frequently only mention one substance in the class of tocopherols. There are actually many types of tocopherols found in nature that have a variety of biological actions as well as their related compounds tocotrienols. When eating a well rounded diet we are exposed to a wide variety of these substances...frequently with supplementation we only get the alpha form of tocopherol. AJCN -- Abstracts: Jiang et al. 74 (6): 714 http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/74/6/714
S-adenosylhomocysteine more sensitive for CVD than homocysteine
Remember where you heard it first!! The laughable part of this is that few physicians have accepted homocysteine as a risk factor for CVD (and lowering therapies with Vit B12, B6 and folic acid) and yet the rest of the research field is moving on to bigger and better stuff. Just accept that mainstream medicine is typically several decades behind the research and move on. AJCN -- Abstracts: Kerins et al. 74 (6): 723 http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/74/6/723
Effects of a hydrogenated vit K on bone formation and resorption
Hydrogenated oils are artifically created oils that produce consistancies of oils that fit consumer demand and processing needs. Many oils are liquids at room temp and would be unsuitable for a processed snack that needs a shelf live somewhat longer than Dick Clark...so we process them to produce a solid. This process changes the oil and produces many harmful aspects. Generally, I have considered the adverse effects of the trans-saturated fat and their negative effect on health and disease. I must admit that I never considered the fat soluble vitamins as also being altered. This study suggests that they are in fact altered in a negative way. AJCN -- Abstracts: Booth et al. 74 (6): 783 http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/74/6/783
Enhancement of immunity in the elderly by probiotic Bifido lactis
Articles like this just get me all warm and fuzzy. I use probiotics frequently in my practice, sometime with amazing results. There is a staggering amount of research on the benefits of this class of substances that I would consider it malpractice to put a patient on antiboitics (especially children) without thought to restore the normal flora after the course. This article demonstrates increased immune function in elderly (average age 69 yrs) using a probiotic supplement. Considering that side effects are very rare, might we possibly consider this as an adjunct or, preferably, replacement of a flu vaccine? AJCN -- Abstracts: Gill et al. 74 (6): 833 http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/74/6/833
Use of Herbal Medications Before Surgery
This is a wonderful series of editorial letters commenting on a recent article regarding adverse affects of herbal medications and surgery. I have always said that herbs are held to a higher standard and that many of the "warnings" about combining certain herbs and prescription drugs are based on isolated case studies. Read each of the letters--the authors use well referenced material to dispute the original article. Use of Herbal Medications Before Surgery http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v286n20/ffull/jlt1128-1.html
Can a Common Medical Practice Change Candida Deadly?
While this article relates to the use of heparin, it does raise many, many concerns. This article brings to light many of the nasty biochemical aspects of Candida albicans when it becomes a systemic infection. The question that arises is that, although this article looks at life-threatening systemic infection of Candida, could not a GI tract that has an overgrowth of Candida (without systemic infection) allow these same toxins mentioned in the article to leak into the systemic circulation? I am sure most functional medicine practitioners would answer that of course it does. It just seems so difficult for mainstream medicine to accept that there is a continuum of disease states. Overgrowth of Candida is very common and I believe is a key element in many cases of IBS, chronic fatigue, ulcerative colitis and especially Crohn's disease. Can a Common Medical Practice Transform Candida Infections From Benign to Deadly? http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v286n20/ffull/jmn1128-1.html
Dietary fats and asthma in teenagers
Not a big surprise, but this article further confirms that dietary factors unquestionably have an impact on asthma. A simple recommendation to avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated oils and increase intake of monounsaturated fats and vitamin C can make a large impact on this disease that is so common and has such a negative impact on the quality of life in those with the disease. Synergy : Clinical & Experimental Allergy 31 (12), 1875-1880 http://well-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/cea/2001/31/12/abstract_cea1222.asp?journal=cea&issueid=7874&artid=143549&cid=cea.2001.12&ftype=ab racts
Food allergy/intolerance: associations w/ other manifestations of atopy
This is another wonderful article packed full of interesting concepts. First is finding out just how common food allergy is in the general population. This article also gives some common food allergens found which includes certain nuts, milk and fruits. Another common theme arises here as well--systemic manifestation of food allergy resulting in reactions in the GI tract, skin and oral cavity. Skin reactions were found in 28.7% of the allergic patients. This brings to mind one of my patients with eczema whose PCP told her that food does not have any relation to her symptoms. According to this study that's just plain not true. Any patient with dermatological problems should be put on an elimination diet to see if food allergies has any contribution to symptoms. What does the patient have to lose?? Maybe the skin lesions.... Synergy : Allergy 56 (12), 1172-1179 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/content/abstracts/al/2001/56/12/abstract_all196.asp?journal=al&issueid=7883&artid=143750&cid=al.2001.15&ftype=abstracts