October 26, 2000 Research Update

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

Serum levels of YKL-40 and CRP in patients with hip osteoarthritis

This article is a little technical. For most of medical history, despite the use of the ending "itis," osteoarthritis has not been considered an inflammatory disease. However, recent research has shown that inflammation is indeed a factor. This can change the entire was we view the treatment of OA. And opens up new therapies for dealing with and preventing OA. Many researchers are begining to show that the underlying cause of OA is a nutritional problem of the bone underneath the joint. Ann Rheum Dis -- Abstracts: Conrozier et al. 59 (10): 828 http://ard.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/59/10/828

Whole Grain Consumption and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Women

This is one of those "I wonder how much money was spent on this" studies. Whole grain consumption has been shown to lower risk of just about every disease known to man. Refined grains on the other hand, consistantly increase risk for just about all of those same diseases. And, unfortunately, the public still does not grasp the differences between whole and processed grains. Whole Grain Consumption and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Women: A Prospective Study http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v284n12/abs/joc00224.html

Use of Nicotinic Acid, Bile Acid-Binding Resins, and Fibrates

Although this article focuses on nicotinic acid, niacin has successfully been used to treat high cholesterol levels safely. This is a very good review covering the different types of niacin available. And, interestingly, the author notes that nicotinic acid has the longest history of use; and yet most doctors and patients are unaware of its benefits.

Clin Rev Spring:52-57, 2000 Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide together represent the essential vitamin niacin in the diet. Of these two, only nicotinic acid is active as a lipid-modifying drug. Thus, while nicotinamide is often marketed as a superior lipid-lowering version of niacin with none of the unpleasant side effects of nicotinic acid, such as flushing and itching, in truth this compound is totally ineffective as a lipid-lowering drug. The recommended dietary allowance of niacin is less than 20 mg/day. Pharmacologically effective doses of nicotinic acid begin at 1,000 to 2,000 mg/day and range up to an effective maximum of 6,000 mg/day. In 1955, this dose range of nicotinic acid was shown to lower total serum cholesterol, and in 1961 it was shown to lower triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in hyperlipidemic patients. Thus, of the drugs currently available for treating hyperlipidemia, nicotinic acid has been used the longest. Over the past 40 years, nicotinic acid has been used in numerous clinical trials and has been proven to reduce lipids and prevent and/or reverse coronary artery disease. In 1988 the National Cholesterol Education Program's (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel recommended nicotinic acid as a drug of first choice.

Stainless Steel Cervical Disc Beneficial For Patients W/ DJD

While it's very nice to have a new surgical option for patients with severe neck pain, I personally would race try less severe methods first, such as chiropractic, glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate, MSM...all of which have shown efficacy with neck pain. But, they researchers did use this disc in place of surgical fusion, which can have devastating consequences years after the procedure.

(article) Surgical insertion of a stainless steel disc may alleviate the symptoms of cervical spine degeneration, researchers from the Frenchay Hospital, in Bristol, England, reported today at the 50th annual meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in San Antonio. Dr. Wigfield and colleagues compared the responses of 12 patients who received the artificial disc to those of 13 patients who underwent traditional discectomy and fusion. All 12 patients who received the artificial disc were able to maintain total range of movement in the treated area. They also showed a reduction in stress on adjacent unaffected discs. Dr. Wigfield credits the design of the artificial disc for its preliminary success. The disc consists of two parts that sit on each other, like a cup and saucer. The design permits the vertebrae to rotate, tilt and move backward and forward, similar to normal spinal movement. "We are encouraged by these early studies," Dr. Wigfield said.

Clinical audit of the effects of low-fibre diet on irritable bowel syndrome

This study shows a benefit of low fibre diets on IBS. However, the authors did not investigate any factors that may increase discomfort from a higher fiber diet. These would include improper digestion and abnormal flora creating increased gas with digestion of carbohydrates. Lowering the fiber in the diet may just allow the patient and doctor to ignore the true cause of the symptoms.

Journal of Human nutrition & Dietetics 13 (4), 249-253 High-fibre diets are frequently advocated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) although there is little scientific evidence to support this. Experience of patients on low-fibre diets suggests that this may be an effective treatment for IBS, warranting investigation. Seventy-four per cent of questionnaires were returned. A significant improvement (60–100% improvement in overall well-being) was recorded by 49% of patients. This preliminary study suggests that low-fibre diets may be an effective treatment for some IBS patients and justifies further investigation as a full clinical trial.

Carbohydrate as an approach to maintenance after initial weight loss

Too many programs have demonized carbohydrates lately, and yet we see study after study of whole grains (which are carbohydrates) protecting against all types of diseases. Maintaining weight is no different. But we much educate the public on the vast differences between the grains. No more enriched wheat flour!!

Journal of Human nutrition & Dietetics 13 (4), 277-285 To test a novel approach to weight management based on positive advice to eat more carbohydrate-rich foods. The results of this pilot study show that replacing a main meal with breakfast cereal led to moderate weight loss, and a follow-up high-carbohydrate phase enabled weight loss to be sustained. We suggest that this regime has potential for further investigation and that promotion of carbohydrate-rich foods should be part of public health messages for weight control.

Effects of ligand activation of PPAR-gamma in human prostate cancer

I've said many times before that I truly believe that most chronic diseases in humans stems from relatively few biochemical defects. This is yet more evidence of this. The new class of diabetic drugs have been shown to inhibit prostate cancer. Just remember that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is also a PPAR-gamma ligand without the known hepatotoxicity. PNAS -- Abstracts: Mueller et al. 97 (20): 10990 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/97/20/10990