September 29, 2000 Research Update

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

Zinc Acetate Lozenges Reduce Duration of Common Cold

Zinc has many benefits in the human body because it is very important in many enzyme systems that protect the human body. Much evidence also exist to suggest that zinc can help shift the immune system to a more balanced response between autoimmune disease and allergies.

Ann Intern Med 2000;133:245-252,302-303 Use of zinc acetate lozenges is associated with a reduction in severity and duration of cold symptoms, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adverse effects were similar in both groups, although patients taking zinc reported more constipation and dry mouth. Dr. Prasad and colleagues note that patients in the zinc group received an average of 80 mg of zinc each day. While this is more than five times higher than the recommended daily intake, short-term use of zinc should not lead to copper deficiency, according to the report.

Perilla Seed Oil Supplement May Be Helpful in Some Asthmatics

Perilla seed oil is high in alpha-linolenic acid which can help shift the balance of leukotriene production (an intercellular messenger) away from inflammation. In addition, diets high in plant products and low in animal fats can also shift the balance away from the inflammation associated with asthma. Food allergies can be an important contributor to asthmatic symptoms as well. When all of these factors are used to help manage symptoms, the dependence upon medications and inhalers is greatly reduced.

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2000;122:137-142 Dietary supplementation with perilla seed oil may be helpful in reducing levels of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in certain asthmatics, Japanese researchers report. Dr. Makoto Okamoto and colleagues from Okayama University Medical School, Tottori, note that "dietary sources of alpha-linolenic acid, such as perilla seed oil, may have the capacity to inhibit the generation of leukotrienes" in asthmatics. To investigate, the researchers studied 26 asthmatics who were given 10 g to 20 g of perilla seed oil a day as a dietary supplement for 4 weeks. A total of 15 subjects showed a significant reduction in LTC4 generation by peripheral leukocytes at 2 and 4 weeks, and were deemed responders. In the remaining 11 subjects, LTC4 production increased significantly after 4 weeks. In addition, in responders, there was a significant improvement in lung function (FEV1) and other ventilatory parameters. The responders also showed a significant reduction in serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and phospholipid after 4 weeks.

Unlabeled Genetically Modified DNA Found in Brazilian Food

Many countries other than the US are well aware of the potential dangers of GMF and many of these countries have laws requiring dislcosure of foods containing them. Here in the US, many are not even aware that something called GMF exists, let alone that there may be health concerns with them. The issue is that, as we splice genes a potential for brand new proteins that the human body has never had exposure to before arises. The stage for severe or chronic allergic reactions may then be set.

The Brazilian Institute of Consumer Defence (ICD) this week called for an official investigation to be launched after tests of over 30 food products showed genetically modified DNA in 11 of them. Several companies have been ordered by the Centre for Sanitary Vigilance of the State of Sao Paulo to withdraw their brands from supermarket shelves. The ICD, in partnership with Greenpeace and the Swiss laboratory Interlabor Belp AG, found transgenic soya or corn in the food products in quantities of up to 10% of the contents. The ICD has advised consumers not to buy products from Argentina, Canada or the USA that are likely to contain soya or corn. In all products the transgenic DNA was from Roundup Ready, produced by the biotechnology company Monsanto. The transgenic ingredient was not indicated on the labels of any of the products, contravening state and federal law.

Linoleic Acid Supplements May Help Dieting Adults Keep weight off

The article suggests that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may help dieters keep weight off. What the article doesn't mention is that CLA acts as a PPAR-gamma agonist, much like the fancy new Type 2 diabetic drugs. Knowing that controlling insulin sensitivity is important for controlling weight, this seem like a logical mechanism by which the CLA works.

The results of two new studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society on Sunday suggest that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may help obese people temporarily lose weight and help them keep the weight off after dieting. Dr. Pariza and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, administered 3g of CLA to 35 obese adults each day and placebo to another 36 obese adults. Each of the patients in the double-blind study also followed a light exercise program and a diet program. All patients lost an average of about 5 lb. over the next 6 months. But in the third of patients who gained lean body mass, the researchers found that those who took placebo regained fat and muscle in a normal 3-to-1 ratio, while those who took CLA regained weight in a 1-to-1 ratio. "CLA could help people avoid the yo-yo effect that is so common" after weight loss, Dr. Pariza said. His research was funded in part by companies that sell CLA to dietary supplement manufacturers. Investigators cannot be sure that CLA was directly responsible for the weight loss, but "there is an indication" that it was, Dr. Ola Gudmundsen said in a statement at the meeting. The investigators stressed that CLA-containing products sold in health food stores are highly variable in their quality. Some products claiming to contain CLA have been found to contain none at all.

Glucose Linked to Increased Free Radical Production in Leukocytes

Remember that impaired insulin sensitivity (insulin loses its effectiveness to get glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells) have been shown to be involved in almost every disease known to man. This may be one route by which this has its damaging effects.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:2970-2973 Glucose ingestion leads to increased production of reactive oxygen species in leukocytes. "We've known for some time that eating certain foods, particularly those containing the antioxidant vitamins A, E and C, can help protect against damage from free radicals," Dr. Paresh Dandona, of the State University of New York at Buffalo, said in a university statement. "This is the first time anyone has shown that nutrition has a role in generating free radicals." Dr. Dandona and colleagues gave a solution of either glucose or saccharin to 14 volunteers to drink. They collected blood samples at various times up to 3 hours later. Generation of reactive oxygen species by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells significantly increased in subjects who received glucose, they report, but not in those who received saccharin. "The link between nutrition and oxidative damage is important because oxidative damage of lipids — low-density lipoproteins in particular — may contribute to atherosclerosis," Dr. Dandona said in the statement. "Our work opens the way for an investigation of the effect of other macronutrients on free-radical generation and oxidative damage."

Type 2 Diabetes Increased Substantially in US Over Past Decade

With today's Westernized diet and lack of exercise getting worse and worse by the generation, is this report really a big surprise?? I remember seeing an ad for a science program with an infant's picture and a note next to it "lifespan 120 yrs." I hate to be a doomsayer, but it our lifestyles do not change, we will note a drastic REDUCTION in life expectancy, not increase.

Diabetes Care 2000;23:1278-1283 The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the US increased dramatically between 1990 and 1998, in all regions and demographic groups and in nearly all states analyzed. According to the report, diabetes increased during the study period by 70% among individuals aged 30 to 39, by 40% among those aged 40 to 49, and by 31% among those aged 50 to 59. "Dramatic increases were also noted among various ethnic groups: Hispanics had a 38% increase compared to whites with a 29% increase and blacks with a 26% increase," the CDC announced in a press release. "We were not really surprised at what we found," said Dr. Ali H. Mokdad, visiting scientist with the CDC's Division of nutrition and Physical Activity. "Given the spread of obesity across the country and knowing that diabetes is strongly associated with obesity, we expected this to be the case," he told Reuters Health.

Gluten And Endocrine Autoantibodies in Adolescent Celiac Patients

Wheat is one of the common allergens that patients are told to avoid, along with dairy and corn, when dealing with chronic disease. This study once again points to the pervasive link between the GI tract and disease in other organ systems.

Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:1742-1748 Italian researchers have found that adolescent patients with celiac disease have elevated levels of anti-thyroid and anti-pancreatic autoantibodies. Gluten may play a role in the observed autoimmunity and, in some cases, the resulting organ dysfunction. Dr. Vincenzo Toscano, of Universita La Sapienza in Rome, and colleagues explain that previous studies have shown that antibodies directed against endocrine glands develop in a high proportion of patients with celiac disease. In light of their findings, Dr. Toscano's team concludes that gluten consumption is associated with a high prevalence of anti-endocrine autoantibodies.