LifeCare Chiropractic

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DHEA

Awareness of the Risks of Heatstroke and Dietary Supplements – (08-22-02)

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Awareness of the Risks of Heatstroke and Dietary Supplements

This article points to the finding that amphetamine derivatives and creatine may contribute to dehydration and heatstroke in football players. Although creatine does appear to be one of the few “wonder meathead supplements” (as opposed to whey protein, chromium, DHEA and androstenedione) that actually have research supporting their use in athletic and fitness training, caution should always be observed. I am strongly against their use in anyone younger that 18 (i.e. out of high school). Prior to this age the system is still growing and potentially more sensitive to insults and/or abnormal muscle growth that may affect tendons and ligaments in the future.

The Neurosurgeon in Sport: Awareness of the Risks of Heatstroke and Dietary Supplements

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DHEA Inhibits VSMC Proliferation Independent of ARs and ERs – (01-17-02)

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DHEA Inhibits VSMC Proliferation Independent of ARs and ERs

I know it’s a big, long, complicated title, but basically this study shows that DHEA has independent effects on reducing atherosclerosis. Although DHEA is produced by the adrenals and converted to testosterone and then estrogen, this is an example of a precurser hormone/molecule having physiologic effects. Pretty amazing. Now, I would not recommend running out and taking bottles of DHEA to lower risk of CVD. However, making sure that your adrenal glands are functioning optimally is very important to maintaining healthy, physiologicaly normal levels.

JCEM — Abstracts: Williams et al. 87 (1): 176

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Adrenocortical Effects of Oral Estrogens and Soy Isoflavones – (06-01-04)

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Adrenocortical Effects of Oral Estrogens and Soy Isoflavones

Just in case this email gets to an ob/gyn and they think I don’t know what I’m talking about… This article (which is a monkey study) finds that both oral contraceptive and conjugated equine estrogens (i.e. Premarin) mess with the adrenal glands in a negative way, producing too much cortisol and not enough DHEA. And, since this imbalance is well known to contribute to insulin resistance, do I need say any more?

JCEM — Abstracts: Wood et al. 89 (5): 2319 –

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Adrenal support during times of stress is critical to long term ability of the adrenals – (07-02-04)

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Dehydroepiandrosterone and allopregnanolone protect sympathoadrenal medulla cells against apoptosis via antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins

Before your eyes glaze over from the long title–this one is important. DHEA and allopregnanlone are produced in part by the adrenal glands. However, under times of stress, the production goes down so the adrenals can produce more cortisol to help the body deal with the stress.

This study finds that these two compounds actually protect the cells of the adrenal gland. So–more stress means less protection to the cells that produce compounds that protect themselves. Kind of convoluted, huh? This would definitely suggests that adrenal support during times of stress is critical to long term ability of the adrenals to do their job.

PNAS — Abstracts: Charalampopoulos et al. 101 (21): 8209 –

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STRESS RAISES NF KAPPA B PRODUCTION TO PRODUCE INFLAMMATION – (10-13-04)

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Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate Inhibits Nuclear Factor-kappaB-Dependent Transcription in Hepatocytes, Possibly through Antioxidant Effect

Sorry for the long title, but this one is interesting. NFkappaB is a transcription factor that promotes inflammation. By blocking NF kappa B’s action, the overall burden of inflammation can be lowered. In this study, it was shown that DHEA-s lowers the effect of KF kappa B, essentially producing an anti-inflammatory response. Why is this important? DHEA is produced by the adrenal cortex, but the production of this compound is affected by stress. More stress will produce cortisol instead of DHEA (called the “pregnonalone steal”). Follow the pattern out from there. JCEM — Abstracts: Iwasaki et al. 89 (7): 3449

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December 4, 2000 Research Update

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

Intestinal Warfare: Short-Chain FOS in Health and Disease

Yet another article amongst the multitude supporting the importance of probiotics in our overall health. FOS is a sugar that is not well digested by humans. However, beneficial bacteria in the GI tract do use this for fuel so they can thrive. Inulin is another substance that has similar effects. This article touches on a few of the potential benefits of probiotics…reducing pathogenic bacteria such as clostridia, lowering rates of colon cancer and increasing the absorption of certain nutrients. Consider this in the context of antibiotic use–is antibiotic resistance really the major concern with overuse? I think it’s actually very insubstantial. Killing off normal, beneficial flora is the major issue with antibiotic use. Synergy Abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1523-5408.2000.00068.x/abstract

Vaccines Pose No Diabetes, Bowel Disease Risk

This view is very short sighted. Much like the authors that dispute the findings of Dr. Andrew Wakefield and the measles/autism link. Vaccines do provide a benefit to any population. But we must use them judiciously, and I do not think this is done. It is well researched that vaccinations can affect the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, thereby altering the body’s ability to balance autoimmune disease from allergy. Many times researchers will look only for the obvious side effects, and when they are not found, declare the vaccine safe. In reality the danger may come from an alteration in normal physiology caused by the vaccine, leading to a certain chronic disease. Vaccines Pose No Diabetes, Bowel Disease Risk http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/284/18/2307.extract

Effects of DHEA on bone mineral density and body composition

I think that DHEA does have a place in managing disease risk in some patients. The important thing to remember is the DHEA is a precursor to some of the most powerful hormones in the body and should not be used without proper guidance and monitoring of hormonal levels in the body. Synergy Abstract http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11106916

Salivary, not serum/urinary levels elevated with topical progesterone

It is well known that most serum markers for hormonal levels are not accurate. Most hormones are bound to proteins in the blood and are not active when bound. It is only the free hormones that are active, and these can be measured simply and effectively in the saliva. This may also explain why many researchers have stated that progesterone creams are not effective–they were checking serum, not saliva. Synergy Abstract

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2265.2000.01130.x/full

Progression from allergic sensitization to asthma

This summary article has some important ideas. It makes it very reasonable to see how constant exposure to allergic substances can bring about asthma. This is one strong reason to eliminate common allergens in the diets of infants and children such as milk, corn and eggs. Synergy Abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1034/j.1399-3038.2000.00503.x/abstract

Cardiovascular and CNS Events from Supplements Containing Ephedra

I have been telling patients this for a long time now. Many diet supplements containing ephedra can be dangerous (all those metabo-stuff). The levels are not controlled in the supplements so it can be virtually impossible to know how much you are getting. There are much safer, although not easier, ways to lose weight and get energy. Original Articles — NEJM http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200012213432502

Women Have High-Risk Periods for weight Gain

This study suggests that during certain periods is a woman’s life she is more prone to weight gain. One such time is during early menarche–a time when few teenage girls are making healthy choices to promote good health for a lifetime.

(article) Three key periods of women’s lives have been found to be especially risky for weight gain, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) in Long Beach, California. Investigators examined the causes of weight gain in women at the beginning of their menstrual cycle, after pregnancy, and after menopause.”The prevalence of obesity in women has almost doubled in the last 20 years. Therefore, identifying key stages and causes of weight gain will be critical for developing prevention programs to stop or slow down this trend,” said Charles Billington, MD, president-elect of NAASO and professor in the Department of Medicine at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.In young girls, early menarche may operate in the development of obesity. Support for this notion comes from 2 studies, conducted by researchers at Tufts Univers! ity School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. These studies suggest that early menarche operates mainly as an intermediate on the pathway to later obesity. Early menarche may also contribute independently to increase the risk of later obesity. “weight retention after pregnancy may be a factor in the obesity of young women, according to an overview of research, presented by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While most women experience a modest weight gain after pregnancy, obese women are at risk for substantial weight gain. “weight gain during menopause may be significantly prevented by long-term changes in dietary intake and increased physical activity, according to findings of the Women’s Healthy Lifestyle Project, a 5-year, randomized clinical trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Improved Vascular Endothelial Function After Oral B vitamins

More evidence related to the ability of B vitamins and folic acid to lower your risk of heart disease via homocysteine lowering. A tip for finding the highest quality supplements…look for phosphoralated B vitamins such as P-5-P (pyroxidal-5-phosphate–vitamin B6). This saves the liver the job of having to do it… Circulation — Abstracts: Chambers et al. 102 (20): 2479 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/102/20/2479