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September 2, 2001 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Inhibition of prostate carcinogenesis by green tea polyphenols
This was a rat study, but much evidence points to similar evidence in humans. Green tea is such a wonderful replacement for soft drinks and especially coffee. Not only does green tea not have the harmful effects, but the polyphenolenic compounds have numerous health benefits. For those who do not like tea plain, try flavoring with either lemon or stevia, an herbal sweetener. PNAS -- Abstracts: Gupta et al. 98 (18): 10350 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/18/10350
Does oxidative damage to DNA increase with age?
This is such an insightful article that opens up both questions and answers. Although this is also a rodent study, once again evidence is strong in support of similar effect in humans. First, do we have increased DNA damage with aging, or does the DNA damage lead to aging? Probably a mixture of both. Current theories of aging include oxidative damage, glycosylation of proteins and shortening of telomeres. Most likely, aging is a combination of all these factors and more. The increased oxidative stress to DNA may be more of a reduction in the protective factors present with younger patients. PNAS -- Abstracts: Hamilton et al. 98 (18): 10469 http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/18/10469
Drug company breaks 30 year agreement on patient advertising
This article refers to the advertising directly to parents for a highly addictive medication for their children. One would hope that this advertising would be ineffective, and that parents would never consider addictive prescriptions for their children based just on advertising. Unfortunately, I don't think Celltech (the drug company marketing Metadate CD) would do this unless they thought it would translate to dollars. bmj.com Kovac 323 (7311): 470a http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7311/470/a
Acupuncture safety study: prospective survey of 34 000 treatments
This article points out the incredible safety record of acupuncture performed in competent practioners. bmj.com MacPherson et al. 323 (7311): 486 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7311/486
Beneficial effects of potassium
This is a wonderful review article that highlights some of the known benefits of potassium, including blood pressure lowering, kidney protection including reduction in risk of kidney stones and cardiovascular benefits. All these benefits with very low cost and very low incidence of side effects. And the author concludes with the comment that increasing fruit and vegetable intake is the best bet for increasing your levels of potassium. bmj.com He and MacGregor 323 (7311): 497 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7311/497
CLA reduced abdominal adipose tissue in the metabolic syndrome
Remember that CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) has a PPAR-gamma ligand effect, much like the new hotshot diabetes drugs (without the potential hepatic toxicity...). This study strongly supports the idea the CLA is another tool for the management of insulin resistance. International Journal of Obesity abstract
GI side effects of orlistat may be prevented by psyllium fiber
Hey, I've got a great idea! How about skipping the orlistat and just increasing your intake of fiber? That would decrease intake of refined carbs and fat and result in better glycemic control and ultimately weight loss. International Journal of Obesity abstract
Oral Type II Collagen Therapy Shows Promise in Juvenile Arthritis
This type of therapy for RA patients was already published many years ago with wonderful benefits and few side effects to the patients in the study. This is believed to work by teaching the GI tract to send a signal to the rest of the body saying that Type II collagen is "okay," thereby lowering the immune response to the body's own Type II collagen. This is truly a wonderful approach with virtually no side effects. Unfortunately, without big money behind a study like this it may not go far.
Arthritis Rheum 2001;44:1775-1781 Oral type II collagen (CII) therapy appears to reduce the autoimmune process of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and promote clinical improvement. Autoantibodies to CII, a cartilage-specific protein, have been found in the sera of JRA patients. By mimicking this protein, oral bovine CII therapy may serve as a tolerogen that attenuates the autoimmune process in these patients, Dr. L. K. Myers, from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, and colleagues explain in the August issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism. Dr. Myers' team assessed the clinical outcomes and T-cell cytokine profiles of nine JRA patients who were treated with oral bovine CII for 3 months. The patients, who were 3 to 15 years of age, included seven with rheumatoid factor-negative JRA with polyarticular disease and two with pauciarticular disease. Two patients had disease exacerbations when treatment was discontinued, so therapy was restarted for an additional 3 months. Eight of the 11 treatment courses were associated with a clinical improvement, the authors state. Six of the eight patients who responded clinically had a decrease in interferon-gamma levels. Of the seven patients who had detectable levels of transforming growth factor beta-3 mRNA, six showed an increase after receiving CII therapy. No side effects were noted with CII therapy in any of the patients.