LifeCare Chiropractic

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Asthma

PRENATAL MATERNAL DIET AFFECTS ASTHMA RISK IN OFFSPRING (08-24-09)

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Prenatal maternal diet affects asthma risk in offspring

This is an important article to consider. This mouse study raises the possibility that the push for periconceptual folic acid supplementation may be contributing to asthma, not ONLY in the offspring, but in the subsequent generation via epigenetic modification. Pretty heavy stuff.

Now, before we jump on the bandwagon of avoiding prenatal vitamins, I have a few comments. First, nothing happens in a vacuum. If this relationship holds true, would paying heightened attention to other known in-utero and early childhood exposures provide an overall positive benefit despite methyl donors like folic acid during pregnancy? The answer is highly likely to be yes–many times deficiencies or excesses have greater impacts in the setting of other physiological challenges, producing an additive effect.

Next, might this mean that we need to pay more attention to SNP testing for methylation genes and identify those in need of supplementation during pregnancy? Again, the answer would be yes.

Read entire article here

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PARACETAMOL USE IN INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD – (05-25-09)

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Association between paracetamol use in infancy and childhood, and risk of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in children aged 6-7 years

In today’s society, we have become so conditioned to accept chemical use as safe and only beneficial. The commercials would have us believe that only caring and loving parents with the utmost of concern for their child’s health would use these compounds. And yet we have seen studies of paracetamol (Tylenol) use in pregnancy, adults and children contribute greatly to the asthma burden in society. So were is the outrage and the public outcry over the fact that these compounds are making our children sick?

Read entire article here

CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE IN UTERO ENVIRONMENT ON THE HEALTH OF THE DEVELOPING INFANT (05-04-09)

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Fish oil intake compared with olive oil intake in late pregnancy and asthma in the offspring

Wow. At some point we will really, really stand up and start to realize the critical importance of the in utero environment on the short and long term health of that developing infant. Some effects won’t be realized for decades after birth; some noted within a few years.

This particular study, while small, showed a massive 63% reduction in asthma and an 87% reduction in allergic asthma in pregnant women given 2.3 g of omega 3 fatty acids during pregnancy. These number may be even lower because they were compared to an olive oil group, and olive oil might be expected to have a positive impact on asthma development as well. Talk about a simple, safe intervention that could have a massive impact on healthcare utilization. Too bad the mass healthcare media isn’t interested in prevention.

Read entire article here

CORTICOSTEROID USE ON BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN CHILDREN (05-04-09)

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Effect of Long-term Corticosteroid Use on Bone Mineral Density in Children

This study look at the use of chronic and short burst use of inhaled steroids in children w/ mild to moderate asthma. Frighteningly, this pattern of use was associated with reduction in bone mineral accrual at a very important time of there bone forming years.

I guess the frustrating aspects of this study is that asthma treatment in children rarely takes a comprehensive course. You can bet that, in many of these children, both food allergies and poor gut health are contributing if not causative factors. Prolonged courses of antibiotics without any thought of the importance of normal, healthy flora, will lead to imbalances of immune function and Th2 dominance of cytokine expression (consistent w/ asthma and allergies).

Add into this nasty mix the new research that gut inflammation negatively impacts bone health and you’ve got a recipe for diminished bone health.

Read entire article here

ARE VACCCINES THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM THE FLU?

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ARE VACCCINES THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM THE FLU?  Of course we know the answer is an enthusastic NO.  I’ve always recommended probiotics and Vit D as a very strong way to protect against the flu.  This is another study that helps to confirm this approach.  Although not surprising that D had an effect, the effect on children with asthma was surprising…only 2 / 167 kids in the Vit D group as opposed to 12 / 167 in the control (83% reduction) had asthma attacks.

Such a simple and effective approach and yet it remains frustrating that many pediatricians will fire parents as patients if they will not vaccinate their children, and yet will still, after years of research, not recommend probiotics and Vit D.

THE ROLE OF PARACETAMOL IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF ASTHMA

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Tylenol and asthma. Not too many people are aware of the strong links between Tylenol use and developing asthma. EVEN in pregnancy! That means if you take Tylenol while pregnant, your child has a higher risk of being an asthmatic.

The thought is that, for the liver to break it down, we need a compound called glutathione. If glutathione gets depleted all heck can break loose, including liver problems, kidney problems and immune system problems (like asthma). Bottom line? If you have pain, try a chiropractor BEFORE meds–there is always a price to be paid for messing with normal physiology.

Read entire article here

 

September 4, 2000 Research Update

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Physicians’ Group Complains About ‘Milk Moustache’ Ads

As many of you may have figured out, I am no big fan of milk. It has probably been one of the best marketing campaigns of the 20th century, and yet there is no data to support benefits of milk. On the contrary, many studies point to the harmful effects of the allergens, pesticides, hormones and other chemicals in cow’s milk.

For the second time, the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine has filed a petition with the US Federal Trade Commission complaining that the “milk moustache” advertisements produced by the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board amount to false advertising. The group says that the ubiquitous ads send the false impression to minorities and women that cow’s milk is healthful. It has sent the FTC an 11-count petition questioning the validity of scientific research that links milk consumption to a lowered risk of osteoporosis. The complaint also asks for a ruling on whether the advertisements ignore the possible dangers of milk’s high fat content. At least one independent organization appears to support the physicians’ group’s position on the accuracy of the ads. “nutrition Navigator,” Tufts University’s online rating guide to nutrition Web sites, rates the Web site of the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board as “not recommended — unacceptable accuracy.”

Effect of a fish-oil on serum lipids in postmenopausal women

Yet another study pointing to the benefits of fish oil on health. I usually recommend patients to use flax seed oil, as it is a plant source of the same type of fatty acids without the possibility of contamination with heavy metals. AJCN — Abstracts: Stark et al. 72 (2): 389

Soy phytoestrogens protect against LDL cholesterol damage

Soy appears to have many routes by which it improves human health. This study suggests that one of these routes is by protecting LDL damage. The “bad” cholesterol can not increase risk of heart disease if it itself is not first damaged. AJCN — Abstracts: Wiseman et al. 72 (2): 395

Magnetic fields and abnormal cell growth

There has been much controversy about the potential dangers of magnetic fields and human health. This article introduces some concepts as to how that may occur. While reading this, you must also consider that cell phones and magnets emit a magnetic field. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15238230

Physical activity and peptic ulcers

Ulcers are still a major scourge in today’s society. Many of the acid blockers were designed for short term use only, and can have long term negative health effects. This study suggests that exercise can reduce the incidence of ulcers. Combine this with the use of cabbage extract or licorice and we have a very viable solution to ulcers without harmful medications. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071012/

Antibiotics and acute bronchitis

Numerous studies have shown that antibiotics have no effect on the course of acute bronchitis. This was an analysis of several studies, once again showing that antibiotics are not needed for acute bronchitis. Not to mention the harmful effects of destroying off the body’s normal protective flora. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11034678

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