October 5, 2000 Research Update

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

Early Respiratory Infections and Childhood Asthma

Several previous studies have suggested that infections early in life may protect against asthma. This study contradicts previous findings, and even goes further to conclude that early infections increase the risk of asthma. I have a feeling that we are going to see this issue bounced back and forth for the next several years. There are some things to consider with the results of this study. The author does not mention how those early infections were treated. Previous studies have identified a link between childhood antibiotic use and asthma. If a majority of these children were treated with antibiotics for their infections, this may be where the link lies and not with the infection itself. I truly believe that childhood infections that are allowed to "run their course" helps to strenthen an infants' health. Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Nafstad et al. 106 (3): e38 http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/106/3/e38

Apo e2 Allele and Anti-atherogenic Lipoprotein Profile in Children

This is another example of "new" markers that can affect our cardiovascular health. Running an isolated cholesterol level without the other markers such as homocysteine, apolipoprotein e2, lipoprotein a, fibrinogen and CRP. The interesting note about this article is that we are starting to release that cardiovascular disease begins in childhood. Pediatrics -- Abstracts: Isasi et al. 106 (3): 568 http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/106/3/568

Supplement Could Boost Adolescent Girls' Calcium Absorption

Adding inulin, a carbohydrate that has known beneficial effects on friendlly flora in the GI tract as well as the cells of the GI tract themselves, is shown to increase calcium absorption is adolescent girls. Inulin is found in many fruits and vegetables and this may be a reason why calcium is much better absorbed from whole foods then from supplements.

A carbohydrate dietary supplement may be able to boost the amount of calcium that adolescent girls can absorb from their diets, according to the results of an industry-sponsored study released today at the World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology and nutrition, in Boston. The supplement, a form of inulin, appeared to increase by nearly 20% the amount of calcium that girls absorbed from an experimental high-calcium diet. Studies have linked increased calcium absorption in adolescence to a lowered risk of osteoporosis later in life for girls, Dr. Steven A. Abrams, a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, pointed out.

New cytokine treatment for inflammatory bowel disease

This is another potential therapeutic use of beneficial bacteria to help with human health. As you read through these updates and article after article regarding probiotics and their beneficial effect, hopefully you will begin to see the potentially devastating effects that irresponsible use of antibiotics can have on our overall health. bmj.com Berger 321 (7260): 530 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/321/7260/530

St John's wort and imipramine for treating depression

The studies keep piling up demonstrating the effects of St John's wort with better tolerability. Now, add exercise, dietary changes and essential fatty acids and I think almost all cases of mild to moderate depression could be better handle using natural methods. bmj.com Abstracts: Woelk 321 (7260): 536 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/321/7260/536

Bacterial Regulation of Epithelial Responses

This is another article presenting evidence that beneficial bacteria can help reduce inflammation in the GI tract. It's a little technical, but the take home message is that this is a separate route or method of reducing inflammation. Different bacteria have different routes, and when working in concert, can have a significant effect on reducing inflammation in the GI tract and the rest of the body. Science -- Abstracts: Neish et al. 289 (5484): 1560 http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/289/5484/1560

Whole-Grain Foods Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Do you sometimes wonder how much money is spent on studies that come to such incredibly obvious conclusions? And, considering how the Western diet emphasizes refined carbohydrates at the expense of whole grains, is it also not a big surprise that the rates of diabetes are skyrocketing?

Am J Public Health 2000;90:1409-1415 Increasing consumption of whole-grain foods reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women, according to the results of a large, prospective study. This effect is not completely explained by dietary fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E content, suggesting that other characteristics of whole grains are important in protecting against diabetes. When the investigators compared subjects with the highest and lowest quintiles of whole-grain intake, the relative risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus was 0.62. For refined grain intake, the relative risk was 1.31. After adjusting for age and total energy intake, increasing ratios of refined- to whole-grain intake were associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, with those in the highest quintile at 57% greater risk for the disease than those in the lowest quintile. "Other antioxidants, nutrients, or phytochemicals in whole grains or interactions among them also may play important roles in risk reduction," the investigators conclude.