Research Update (April 2, 2000)



Yogurt as a health food that can stimulate the immune system? There is very strong evidence that the probiotics in yogurt have numerous health effects. AJCN — Abstracts: Meydani and Ha 71 (4): 861

Soy can lower cholesterol. Not new news, but always nice to see further evidence backing it up. Watch out for the side effects, though: lower risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, eases menopausal symptoms, may help with osteoporosis… AJCN — Abstracts: Normén et al. 71 (4): 908

Another study showing that whole grains can protect against diabetes. Won’t see this evidence from Dr. Atkins book… AJCN — Abstracts: Meyer et al. 71 (4): 921

Silica may prevent aluminum absorption, and aluminum has been linked to many health problems, including Alzheimer’s. AJCN — Abstracts: Jugdaohsingh et al. 71 (4): 944

Some people worry about the caffeine and tannins in tea effecting calcium absorption. My advice is usually not to worry about it because somehow things work out because nature somehow puts everything together right. Here’s evidence of tea protecting against osteoporosis. AJCN — Abstracts: Hegarty et al. 71 (4): 1003

This is scary…the incidence of diabetes is increasing in kids. The name “adult onset” has been dropped because too many kids are getting the disease. This is definately a result of kids eating such processed foods with no nutrition.

Diabetes Care 23(3):381-389, 2000 If the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children are increasing and if this increase cannot be reversed, our society will face major challenges. That is, the burden of diabetes and its complications will affect many more individuals than currently anticipated, and the cost of diabetes to our society will cause us to consume enormous resources. Also, many more Americans will be taking potent medications, which have attendant risks, for most of their lives.

More bad news. It is becoming increasingly evident that the drugs commonly used to treat diabetes MAY ACTUALLY PROMOTE THE DISEASE. The reason? Certain drugs stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin (secretagogues), but it also produces a protein called amyloid, which can damage the pancreas itself. But don’t worry, they suggest using a relatively new drug called troglitazone (Rezulin).

South Med J 93(1): 24-28, 2000. We may wish to rethink our current methods of treating type 2 diabetes. We must ask whether we should allow this hyperinsulinemia/hyperamylinemia state to continue or even complicate matters by using insulin secretagogues, thus increasing endogenous insulin and amylin.

Oops… that new drug they’re recommending? The FDA pulled it because it has some strong links to liver failure… But never fear, nature to the rescue. Troglitazone is a PPAR agonist. So is congugated linoleic acid (CLA), an essential fatty acid with no side effects.

The diabetes drug troglitazone (Rezulin) was withdrawn from the market on Tuesday following a request from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug, which lowers blood sugar in diabetics, has been linked to potentially life-threatening liver failure in some patients. An FDA spokesperson said that the drug has been linked to 63 deaths and 90 confirmed cases of liver failure. The drug has been on the US market since mid-1997, but soon after its launch, reports of liver failure emerged among patients taking the drug.

James Bogash

For more than a decade, Dr. Bogash has stayed current with the medical literature as it relates to physiology, disease prevention and disease management. He uses his knowledge to educate patients, the community and cyberspace on the best way to avoid and / or manage chronic diseases using lifestyle and targeted supplementation.







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