James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiropractic.com
www.lifecarechiropractic.com
Vitamin C was inversely associated with 20-year incidence of stroke
Remember the recent study suggesting carotid artery thickening with vitamin C? Well, many people overreacted to just ONE article, much like they did several years ago when it was shown that vitamin C initiated DNA damage. Well, as for the DNA damage, everyone forgot to look at the fine print–vitamin C also protected against a more damaging type of DNA damage at the same time. This article now suggests a very strong protective effect of vitamin C on stroke. Entrez-PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=0011022052&dopt=Abstract
Public attitudes towards the healthiness of fruit juices
Too many people do not understand the differences in fruit juices. The concept that something like Sunny Delight should be given to kids is ridiculous–it’s basically sugar water. The same thing goes for fruit juice cocktails. The cocktails all have added sugar, 100% juices do not. Your best bet…pure, filtered water and the whole fruit. Synergy Abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-277x.2000.00001-16.x/abstract
The public perception of the role of dietitians
This review evaluates the public perception of dietitians. I have met many dieticians that are really very knowledgeable about functional medicine and health. Unfortunately, I feel that most dieticians are very poorly equipped to deal with human health. Truly understanding nutrition is a monumentous undertaking, and requires a strong foundation in physiology and biochemistry, coupled with hours and hours of continuing education. I have met too many diabetics who’s “nutritionist” had never even mentioned glycemic index. Considering that I believe that nutrition and lifestyle changes is one of the most powerful tools any physician can use, the public’s view of dietitians is upsetting. Synergy Abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-277x.2000.00001-2.x/abstract
Vitamin C and the healing of venous leg ulcers
Antioxidant therapy has many health benefits. By increasing the number of whole fruits and vegetables as well as increasing antioxidant intake can decrease risk, incidence and severity of almost every disease known to man. This study does not show a benefit of vitamin C. However, the dosage of 200 mg/day is considered very low. I would like to see the study done with several grams used, coupled with other antioxidants and ginko biloba. Since vitamin C is crucial for the formation of healthy connective tissue, the idea that vitamin C can help with wound healing is not unreasonable. Synergy Abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-277x.2000.00001-9.x/abstract
Tea and Heart Disease: Protection Via Estrogenlike Activity?
There are so many benefits coming to light about tea that it is surprising that it is not more popular. These benefits range from cancer prevention to heart disease to osteoporosis. The interesting thing about this abstract is that it does not differentiate between green and black tea. Most of the research points to green tea as being much more beneficial that black. Also of note is the quantity of tea consumed. Most studies look at 3-4+ glasses per day. Tea and Coronary Heart Disease: Protection Through Estrogenlike Activity? http://jn.nutrition.org/content/133/9/2883.full
Panax Ginseng and Diabetes
This is an editorial commenting on the interaction between diabetes drugs and ginseng potentially resulting in hypoglycemia. My two cents on this…if panax ginseng has the potential to act as a glucose lowering agent, why would we not use it to reduce/eliminate the use of “accepted” diabetic drugs, all of which can have severe, sometimes fatal, side effects? Ginseng also has many other beneficial properties–can this be said of many of the diabetic drugs? Would we include liver failure with the troglitazone-class drugs and increased amyloid production killing off remaining beta cells with insulin secretagogues? Ginseng could be used with conjugated linoleic acid (a PPAR-gamma ligand much like the troglitazones) and exercise to strongly control many cases of diabetes. Panax (Ginseng) Is Not a Panacea http://archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/v160n21/ffull/ilt1127-5.html
Fish Oil Fatty Acids, DHA and DPA, and Acute Coronary Events
This is a nice overview of the benefical effects of essential fatty acids. It even notes a danger to many sources of fish today–high mercury content. Stick with deep sea, cold water fish to avoid mercury. And, note the use of hair analysis to measure mercury content. Hair analysis has long been thought of as “voodoo” and yet the research strongly favors the use of hair analysis for heavy metal exposure. Circulation — Abstracts: Rissanen et al. 102 (22): 2677 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/102/22/2677
Impaired Arginine Transport in Human Heart Failure
L-arginine supplementation is such a simple and safe method for reducing the risks for cardiovascular disease. Although the research has been around for years, I still think it will be many more yet before arginine makes it into clinical practice. Probably will become popular just a few months after multivitamin use to lower homocysteine levels and CVD… Circulation — Abstracts: Kaye et al. 102 (22): 2707 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/102/22/2707