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October 4, 2004 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiropractic.com
www.lifecarechiropractic.com
Comparison of the effects of calcium loading with calcium citrate or calcium carbonate on bone turnover in postmenopausal women
This one has been an ongoing debate in the natural healthcare field for some time now. While this is a small study, and one study does not constitute a definitive answer, I usually tell patients that, if they are serious about bone health, then calcium carbonate is NOT the way to go. So, toss the TUMS and pick up calcium citrate or MCHC.
SpringerLink - Article
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Abnormal glucose tolerance - a common risk factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Well now, here's a different was to look at the insulin resistance issue. Just ignore it completely until it produces a fatal heart attack. There--no need for lifestyle changes or nasty tasting vegetables or exercise.
Abnormal glucose tolerance - a common risk factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction in comparison with population-..
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Oxidative stress and its association with coronary artery disease and different atherogenic risk factors
A good article, but I have to take issue with the first line of the abstract..."It is well known that free radicals contribute to endothelial dysfunction and are involved in the pathogenesis and development of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis." Well known? Certainly not by mainstream medicine. All cynycism aside, this article takes a not-too-often approach to the antioxidant benefit. They measured an overall "total antioxidant power" inside of measuring just levels of one antioxidant such as C or E. There is no one antioxidant that we can load up on and achieve all of the benefits of lowered oxidative stress. Rather, the protection is more of a summation of the intake of a wide variety of antioxidants from our diets.
Oxidative stress and its association with coronary artery disease and different atherogenic risk factors - J Intern Med, Vol ..
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Sodium intake affects urinary albumin excretion especially in overweight subjects
I have to admit, that I have usually told patients that sodium intake is really not as important as most believe it is (with the exception of processed foods--which are generally higher in sodium). There seems to be only a small percentage of the population that is salt sensitive. The rest don't experience much effect from salt intake. However, this article suggest an alternative opinion, that salt intake in overweight patients adversely effects the kidney's excretion of albumin. Remember that the kidney should not lose any proteins--protein in the urine can be a sign of renal problems. Microalbuminuria has shown to be related to the degree of insulin resistance. So, might the salt in this study be affecting insulin resistance in a negative way somehow?
Sodium intake affects urinary albumin excretion especially in overweight subjects - J Intern Med, Vol 256, Issue 4, pp. 324-3..
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Intra-articular steroid injection of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb in OA
This is an interestng one. Reading the title may lead one to believe that the steroid injections were not effective. However, there was a 20% reduction in pain in both the placebo injection and the steroid. "So what?" you say. There is evidence accumulating that in is not the fluid being injected that does the fixing, but rather THE NEEDLE. One of the soft tissue techniques I use in my office is called Graston technique, and it uses patented stainless steel instruments to essentially damage ligaments, tendons, etc... through microtrauma. This microtrauma then brings new blood flow/nutrients to fibrotic tissue than can begin to produce healthy ground substance and heal the scar tissue. So, might the needle and Graston technique share the same mechanism of healing? I think the research is leaning this way. So how much will doctors get paid just to stick the needle in?
A randomised controlled trial of intra-articular corticosteroid injection of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb in osteoa..
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Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome
Sometimes we really want to focus on long, complicated approaches to chronic diseases. This applies to both natural and conventional approaches. But, sometimes something as simple and inexpensive as an elimination diet can yield truly powerful results. I can use the analogy of goldenseal and echinacea. Many people take "immune boosting" formulas when they feel they're getting sick. But, they neglect to avoid refined carbs/hydrogenated oils--two things known to depress the immune system. They would be better off not putting the junk in that adding something to the mix. An elimination diet really hits home with this concept. There are many, many patients (if not all to some degree) in whom a portion or all of their symtoms are a result of allergens in their diet. Avoid them, and symptoms can improve dramatically. I remember a case years back. A patient came in at her mother's urging. She was experiencing a weird skin rash and called herself the "dermatology poster child" at a major AZ university teaching hospital. After parading her in front of countless interns and residents, and multiple ineffective drug therapies, including severe swelling after steroid therapy she had enough. I started her on an elimination diet. I was wheat. Skin cleared up within days and returned with the re-introduction of wheat.
Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial -- Atkinson et al. 53 (10..
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Influence of dietary factors on the clinical course of ulcerative colitis
Influence of dietary factors on the clinical course of ulcerative colitis: a prospective cohort study -- Jowett et al. 53 (10..
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Improved Mood and Behavior During Treatment w/ Mineral-Vitamin Supplement
What? Oh, I get it. This is one of those "daily vitamin with an extra dose of prosac and celexa." Right? How else could a multivitamin, something so non-specific, impact a psychological condition? This is just unheard of in the entire realm of psychology, whether at the counselors in the trenches or up to the psychiatrist with the prescription pad. Unfortunately for them, there is mounting evidence from the medical literature that suggests that many psychological problems actually do have a physiological basis. Nothing we are currently doing is addressing these physiological problems--certainly none of the SSRIs being given like candy actually FIX anything. So here we have something as basic and non-targeted as a multivitamin improving psychologic markers. Add some specific therapies like folic acid or SAM-e and this improvement will increase.
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. - Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology - 14(1):115 - Abstract
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Study indicates nine risk factors explain most heart attacks
So why is it still a major killer in the US? Maybe because we are still so focused on treatment and not prevention. Ironically, an abnormal ratio of apolipoprotein A to apolipoprotein B and smoking accounted for 2/3 of risk. So, while most clinicians are still checking only cholesterol, the real risk factors like apo A/apo B ratios, CRP and insulin resistance go unchecked. THESE ARE ALL MODIFYABLE RISK FACTORS. I don't know what else to say except that we are a miserable failure when it comes to educating the public about prevention.
Study indicates nine risk factors explain most heart attacks -- White 329 (7465): 527 -- BMJ
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Specialists challenge claim that fluoxetine plus talk therapy works best for depressed adolescents
This is a brief article that questions the results of a study comparing placbo to cognitive behavioral therapy to Prosac to a combo of CBT and Prosac. The dialogue is interesting and the author suggests that this very expensive study ($17million) showed no benefit of Prosac to placebo. In one of the Rapid Responses to this article, one author gives references to studies that show a causal association between antidepressants and cancer. This association is new to me but I will keep my ears open.
Specialists challenge claim that fluoxetine plus talk therapy works best for depressed adolescents -- Lenzer 329 (7465): 529 ..
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Combination of Riboflavin, Magnesium, and Feverfew for Migraine Prophylaxis
Talk about an unexpected result! This trial used 25 mg riboflavin as a placebo, and, when all the data was in, both placebo and active arm experienced similar, positive effect. Remember that riboflavin is a part of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) which participates in the formation of ATP through the electron transport chain. Recall from previous Updates that I feel we are moving towards an oxidative stress etiology for migraines. The benefit of riboflavin on migraine once again goes into the evidence pool suggesting that poor mitochondrial function leading to oxidative stress is a main contributing factor to onset of migraines.
A Combination of Riboflavin, Magnesium, and Feverfew for Migraine Prophylaxis: A Randomized Trial - Headache, Vol 44, Issue 9..
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Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. - Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology - 14(1):115 - Abstract
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/104454604773840553
Study indicates nine risk factors explain most heart attacks
So why is it still a major killer in the US? Maybe because we are still so focused on treatment and not prevention. Ironically, an abnormal ratio of apolipoprotein A to apolipoprotein B and smoking accounted for 2/3 of risk. So, while most clinicians are still checking only cholesterol, the real risk factors like apo A/apo B ratios, CRP and insulin resistance go unchecked. THESE ARE ALL MODIFYABLE RISK FACTORS. I don't know what else to say except that we are a miserable failure when it comes to educating the public about prevention.
Study indicates nine risk factors explain most heart attacks -- White 329 (7465): 527 -- BMJ
Click here for more information
Specialists challenge claim that fluoxetine plus talk therapy works best for depressed adolescents
This is a brief article that questions the results of a study comparing placbo to cognitive behavioral therapy to Prosac to a combo of CBT and Prosac. The dialogue is interesting and the author suggests that this very expensive study ($17million) showed no benefit of Prosac to placebo. In one of the Rapid Responses to this article, one author gives references to studies that show a causal association between antidepressants and cancer. This association is new to me but I will keep my ears open.
Specialists challenge claim that fluoxetine plus talk therapy works best for depressed adolescents -- Lenzer 329 (7465): 529 ..
Click here for more information
Combination of Riboflavin, Magnesium, and Feverfew for Migraine Prophylaxis
Talk about an unexpected result! This trial used 25 mg riboflavin as a placebo, and, when all the data was in, both placebo and active arm experienced similar, positive effect. Remember that riboflavin is a part of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) which participates in the formation of ATP through the electron transport chain. Recall from previous Updates that I feel we are moving towards an oxidative stress etiology for migraines. The benefit of riboflavin on migraine once again goes into the evidence pool suggesting that poor mitochondrial function leading to oxidative stress is a main contributing factor to onset of migraines.
A Combination of Riboflavin, Magnesium, and Feverfew for Migraine Prophylaxis: A Randomized Trial - Headache, Vol 44, Issue 9..
Click here for more information