September 19, 2002 Research Update

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

Ambulatory blood pressure and brain atrophy in the healthy elderly

I have many elderly patients coming into my office on antihypertensive drugs. It is not unusual to find many with "controlled" BP over 150 systolic. Their doctors seem okay with this number and yet it has always worried me. Now my worries appear to have been vindicated. In this study we see shrinking of the brain in patients with even high-normal blood pressures. Searching my website will demonstrate many natural methods of lowering blood pressure safely. None of these methods provide substantial results (with the exception of water-only fasting, the results of which are just short of incredible); however, when combined can have a additive effect. Principle among the approaches is control of hyperinsulinemia. Elevated insulin appears to reduce the elasticity of the vessel walls leading the hypertension.

Neurology -- Abstracts: Goldstein et al. 59 (5): 713

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Fish Oil Increases Acetylcholine, Eicosanoid-Induced Contractility of Ileum

This article is very timely with the FDA's conditional approval (see next article) of alosetron. Re-release of this drug after its withdrawl after fatal side effects is a subject of hot controversy. The drug is designed to help with diarrhea-dominant IBS. Here we see a natural approach to the opposite end of the spectrum; and I'd bet I would be hard pressed to find any fatal reactions to fish oil...

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Patten et al. 132 (9): 2506

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Alosetron: case study in regulatory capture, or victory for patients' rights?

This article brings to light the scary concept that the FDA is funded strongly by the pharmaceutical companies they are supposed to regulate. Does anyone get a little nervous about this association besides me?

bmj.com Moynihan 325 (7364): 592

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Lipoprotein Oxidation Inhibited by Red Wine Polyphenols but Not Ethanol

I have pretty firmly stood by the idea that it is most likely the compounds in the grapes that make the red wine rather than the wine itself that affords its protective properties. While there may be some minor interactions and benefits that require alcohol, this article supports my theory (don't we all just hate it went we're right??).

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Rifici et al. 132 (9): 2532

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Postprandial Hyperglycemia, Insulin Sensitivity Differ among Ethnicities

This is an important article that really reminds us to avoid treating every patient the same, and that different genetic makeups can vastly affect environment's impact on health. Here we find that European and Arabic caucasions were the most physiologically tolerant of a 75-g white bread challenge.

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Dickinson et al. 132 (9): 2574

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Acute Valproate Administration Impairs Methionine Metabolism in Rats

Valproate is a drug commonly used to control seizures and has many potentially severe side effects. While many patients with seizures would probably have good results with lifestyle changes geared towards reducing seizure actiivity (i.e. stress reduction, high does fish oils to stabilze cellular membranes...), many patients need this medication. Here we see research beginning to elucidate the physiology behind the side effects. Unfortunately, it will be decades yet before high dose (most likely in the gram-dosage range) folic acid along with SAM-e and betaine will be standard recommendation.

nutrition.org -- Abstracts: Úbeda et al. 132 (9): 2737

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Sugar, Glycemic Load, and Pancreatic Cancer Risk

There have been numerous studies lately linking insulin resistance and diets high in refined sugars to pancreatic cancer. A few things to consider here. First, pancreatic cancer is bad...very bad. Survival rates are rarely discussed beyond 3 years. Searching the archives of Research Updates should bring up information on Dr. Gonzalez, who was awarded a NIH grant for his approach to pancreatic cancer using detoxification, digestive enzymes and coffee enemas. Next, could the increased cancer risk actually be a result of hyperinsulinemia more significantly than the refined sugars? Hyperinsulinemia has already been linked to several other cancers. If this is this case, what does this mean for the insulin secretagogue drugs used for diabetes that prod the beta cells to produce more insulin (at least until they clog up with the amyloid that is also produced...)?

Cancer Spectrum: Michaud et al., pp. 1293-1300.

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Stimulation of Arteriogenesis in Skeletal Muscle by Ultrasound

Just thought I'd drop this one in as a FYI. Keep an eye on this therapy; it has tremendous implications for wound healing, non-healing skin ulcers and possibly coronary artery occlusion.

Circulation -- Abstracts: Song et al. 106 (12): 1550

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Inhibition of hepatocyte apoB secretion by naringenin

Recall that naringenin is a bioflavanoid found in grapefruit and is well known to inhibit cytochrome P450 action--thus leading to potentially dangerous interactions with blood thinners. Here we see an apoB (protein carrier of lipids known to be associated with CVD risk) lowering effect of this same substance.

J. Lipid Res. -- Abstracts: Borradaile et al. 43 (9): 1544

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