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September 24, 2003 Research Update |
James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiro.com
www.lifecarechiro.com
Impaired Fracture Healing in the Absence of TNF-alpha Signaling: The Role of TNF-alpha in Endochondral Cartilage Resorption
It is quite common for drugs to be developed and marketed that affect certain biochemical pathways before we fully understand these pathways. This is evidenced by the withdrawl of many medications after they are approved by the FDA. Of particular concern for me is the new drugs that block TNF-alpha being used for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's and psoriasis. While I understand that many patients with these conditions are sufferring with their symptoms, I know that many of these patients have not exhausted (or, in many cases, even attempted) natural approaches. TNF-alpha is now known to be an integral component of bone healing and formation, fighting off cancer and fighting off infections. Blocking this messenger may yield more long term problems than it solves.
Impaired Fracture Healing in the Absence of TNF- Signaling: The Role of TNF- in Endochondral Cartilage Resorption
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Reduced Osteocyte Density w/ Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture
The idea that the denser the bones, the stronger the bones, is an idea that is far too simplistic. We now know that it is not just the density, but the quality of the bone that also plays a role in fracture risk. This study finds that there are less active bone cells (osteocytes) in patients who have suffered vertebral fractures. The authors suggests that less osteocytes would make the bone less response to microtrauma and changes in stress on the bone.
Reduced Iliac Cancellous Osteocyte Density in Patients With Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture
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Dietary glycine prevents chemical-induced experimental colitis
Glycine is one of those amino acids that has been used for a long time for GI complaints. Here we see further support for this idea. Also included in a regimine including glycine would be soluble fiber and probiotics.
Gastroenterology Online
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Ginkgo Biloba
Once again, American Family Physician does a nice review of a natural agent. I have used ginko in my office with good results for dementia, hearing loss and impotence. However, I usually consider ginko in anyone younger than 50 years of age ineffective enough to not be worth the money..
Gingko Bilboa - September 1, 2003 - American Family Physician
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Gene–Diet Interactions in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Once again, it is becoming more clear that another chronic degerative condition (in this case Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) are diseases of lifestyle. Elevated levels of homocysteine is being found to a major play in onset of these disorders. Of course this would mean that folic acid, B6 and B12 supplementation are essential for lowering your risk of these conditions.
Ann Intern Med -- Abstracts: Mattson 139 (5): 441
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The Relative Safety of Ephedra Compared with Other Herbal Products
This is a letter to the Editor by Dr. Julian Whitaker on the safety of ephedra. This herb has gotten a bad rap lately, but most adverse effects we have seen have been from overuse. People drop dead daily from LABEL use of Tylenol and ibuprofen but there's no big congressional push to outlaw those two. Remember that natural medicine is held to a much higher standard and, more often than not, can withstand the additional scrutiny.
Ann Intern Med -- Whitaker 139 (5): 385 -a
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Elevated Homocysteine w/ Higher Risk of Recurrent Coronary Events and Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction
There's that nasty homocysteine word again. Funny, for as often as it pops up in the medical literature, clinicians rarely pay heed to ordering homocysteine. This is especially disappointing because we know that supplementation with folic acid, B6 and B12 can lower levels of homocysteine.
Arch Intern Med -- Abstracts: Matetzky et al. 163 (16): 1933
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High Pressure Induces Superoxide Production in Isolated Arteries
Wow! This article suggests that increased blood pressure alone is enough to start a cascade of damage in the cells lining the arteries. Increased superoxide without ample antioxidants to quench this free radical will result in further damage to the cell. This damage can begin the infiltration of white blood cells that begin plaque formation. This lends more support to the idea of antioxidant supplementation such as Vit C, E and CoQ10 to lower risk of CVD.
Circulation -- Abstracts: Ungvari et al. 108 (10): 1253
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Osteopathic Manipulation as Adjuvant Therapy in Children w/ Recurrent Acute Otitis Media
While I love to see articles such as this (the findings not really a big surprise to any chiropractor), it is unfortunate that any press this article receives will not extend to chiropractic. Heck--why should it? Just because DCs perform 90% of manipulations and DOs have manipulation as an elective?? Oh well. Remember to add probiotic supplementation and avoidance of dairy to manipulation and just about every ear infection should become history.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med -- Abstracts: Mills et al. 157 (9): 861
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Lifestyle changes play a major role in reducing cardiovascular disease
One of the researchers at this conference believes that, in the Nurse's Health Study, 82% of CHD deaths could have been prevented with lifestyle changes. 82%. Think on that number. Essentially, here in the US CVD could drop off of the map of major causes of death. Knowing what we now know, there is absolutely NO excuse why CVD is still the major killer it is. None.
Vienna, Austria - Long-term studies on the effect of lifestyle changes on cardiovascular disease risk and mortality show that those who adopt a combination of several healthy habits achieve the greatest cardioprotective effect. Patients who stop smoking, follow a healthy diet, exercise daily, and drink a glass of wine or beer now and then are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease or die from it was the take-home message of a clinical seminar on the effect of lifestyle changes on cardiovascular health here at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2003. Combination is the key "We cannot identify particular items that can be isolated, like a pill; rather, lifestyle changes have a synergetic effect," said Dr Susana Sans Menendez (Barcelona, Spain), who was chairing the session. In this respect, the latest data from the Nurses' Health Study, a long-term evaluation of over 120 000 nurses from 11 US states started in 1976, showed a combined impact of the following lifestyle components on primary prevention: moderate or vigorous exercise at least 30 minutes daily, a diet low in trans-fatty acids but high in omega-3 fatty acids and folate, regular intake of alcohol, a low BMI, and smoking cessation. "A total of 82% of CHD deaths in the general population would have been prevented with adherence to this healthy lifestyle," said Dr Karin Michels (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA), who presented the latest results of their study at the meeting.