LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

COLLAGEN

T cell reactivity to microbial antigens, collagen in RA after new meds – (01-18-01)

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T cell reactivity to microbial antigens, collagen in RA after new meds

Etanercept is the new drug being used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. I have always been concerned at the effects of blocking the action of TNF-gamma in the body. A more rational approach would be to use natural methods to block the production of TNF-gamma (anti-inflammatory diets, herbs, maintaining good insulin sensitivity, lowering the level of adipose tissue…). New research is suggesting that this new drug upregulates the immune system further, with the potential for even more autoimmunity–the reason the drug is used in the first place!!

Ann Rheum Dis — Abstracts: Berg et al. 60 (2): 133

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Collagen Synthesis in Cultured Fibroblasts with Varicose Veins – (07-25-02)

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Collagen Synthesis in Cultured Fibroblasts with Varicose Veins

This experiment demonstrates that the synthesis of collagen, an essential building frame for the structure of almost all tissue in the human body, is dysregulated in patients with varicose veins. Horsechestnut and butcher’s broom are two herbs that have been used for centuries to address varicose veins. These contain bioflavanoids that are known to stabilize vessel walls. Vit C is also important for collagen synthesis and may benefit varicose veins.

Circulation — Abstracts: Sansilvestri-Morel et al. 106 (4): 479

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BONE QUALITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BONE DENSITY – (12-15-04)

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BONE FRAGILITY AND COLLAGEN CROSS-LINKS

So much attention over the years has been focused on purely bone density without any thought to the quality of the bone present.

This research has started to surface, and it’s not very pretty. The fragility (and therefore the quality) of the bone is a very important factor in whether or not a bone is going to fracture. The quality of a bone is much more than just stopping the bone’s breakdown (via biphosphonate therapy like Fosamax) and needs to involve a wide spectrum approach including more of a plant-based/alkaline diet, high quality calcium as well as the numberable micronutrients needed for health bone. This also lends much credance to check the urine for the breakdown products of bone–a urine test that has been commercially available for many years now.

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