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September 1, 2003 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Normal intestinal microbiota in aetiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis
There has been much theory in the past about an infectious etiology for RA and this article further supports the idea that an improper response to bacteria may be responsible for the onset of RA. Remember that the gut has the ability to regulate the entire immune system via the GALT (gut activated lymphoid tissue). If there is something in the GI tract that the GALT does not like, it can send a signal out to the rest of the immune system to upregulate, thereby opening up a Pandora's box of potential autoimmune problems.
Ann Rheum Dis -- Abstracts: Toivanen 62 (9): 807
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Current Perspectives in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
It is pretty much settled in the literature that PCOS is strongly linked to insulin resistance. However, the direction of clinical studies to address this factor usually include insulin sensitizing agents such as metformin. This article suggests that weight loss via control and awareness of carb intake and exercise alone is powerful enough to fix menstrual irregularity and infertility. So many times women with fertility problems run off to fertility "specialists" who prescribed fertility drugs that force the system to perform a function (ovulation) that it is not ready for. This approach also ignores the underlying physiological defect that can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes and CVD later in life.
Current Perspectives in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome -- August 15, 2003 - American Family Physician
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L-carnosine supplementation in children w/ autistic spectrum disorders
While the treatment of autism with natural agents is only begining to show up in the literature, this is probably driven by the increasing incidence of this condition. With this in mind, there have been several natural approaches that seem to help. If you're really interested in digging into the biochemistry of why some of these natural approaches work, run some searches on "mauve factor" and urine pyrrolic compounds. The biochemistry of these are way to complex to go into here and have been studied for several decades now.
Entrez-PubMed
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A preliminary trial of ascorbic acid as supplemental therapy for autism
Ditto.
Entrez-PubMed
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Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia--Role of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine
We've come across asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) previously. Basically, nitric oxide is a small molecule that has many functions, one of which is dilation of blood vessels to increase blood flow (ala nitroglycerin tablets, Viagra...). ADMA is nitric oxide's arch enemy--the more ADMA, the less effective nitric oxide can be. We are finding that insulin resistance disables the enzyme that breads down ADMA, effectively raising levels of ADMA and inhibiting nitric oxide vasodilation. The result?? High blood pressure.
Circulation -- Abstracts: Stühlinger et al. 108 (8): 933
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The effect of DPT and BCG vaccinations on atopic disorders
The results of this small study are rather striking. Infants who had the DPT vaccination had 56.4% risk of atopic disorders vs 9.3% without the vaccine.
Entrez-PubMed
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Effect of neonatal BCG vaccination on atopy and asthma at 7 to 14 years
This study builds on the previous, but there is a very important point not to miss here. This study showed effect AS FAR AS 14 YEARS AFTER THE VACCINATION!! I cannot begin to express how frustrated I get when researchers and clinicians look for immediate reactions (within a few days) and say the vaccine does not cause problems. We are missing the most potentially harmful cause of vaccinations--increased atopic diseases such as allergies and asthma. We have traded childhood diseases for lifelong chronic disease. Geez--the drug companies have got to love this one--mandated vaccinations that they make money on only to have the children develop chronic conditions that will require a lifetime of medications!! That would be the equivalent of performing adjustments in my office that would permanently damage the patient so they would need to come in again and again for the rest of their lives!! And the initial treatments were mandated by the government!!! What a racket, huh?
Entrez-PubMed
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Evidence That Insulin Resistance Is Associated With a Disturbed Antioxidant Defense Mechanism
Just more evidence of the tangled web that is human physiology. In this study we see that deteriorating glucose disposal in muscle may be a result of disturbed antioxidant defense. So, what if the benefits of whole grains on diabetes risk is more of a marker of tocotrienol levels (a strong cousin of vitamin E found in whole grains)? More likely, this is just one level of development of a condition called diabetes that is a multifactorial disease and needs to be treated as such--with attention to all aspects of lifestyle that can contribute to breakdown of normal physiology.
Diabetes -- Abstracts: Bruce et al. 52 (9): 2338
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The Metabolic Syndrome and Antioxidant Concentrations
Ditto.
Diabetes -- Abstracts: Ford et al. 52 (9): 2346
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Does low meat consumption increase life expectancy in humans?
Not that this should come as a surprise to anyone, but studies such as this one should make people on the Atkin's-type diet reconsider their approach. You trade short term (and many times not permanent) weight loss for long term health.
AJCN -- Abstracts: Singh et al. 78 (3): 526S
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Nut consumption and body weight
Nuts have gotten a bad rap when it comes to health, despite the fact that numerous clinical studies on several types of nuts have shown beneficial effects on blood lipids. Since that are high in fat, most people refer to nuts as "fattening." The two are not necessarily related, as we see in this study. Nuts (in moderation, of course) are a part of a healthy lifestyle, high in monounsaturated fats, fiber and tocotrienols.
AJCN -- Abstracts: Sabaté 78 (3): 647S
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