The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona
by James Bogash
L-Arginine Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
We know have so many tools in the natural arsenal against diabetes. Exercise, CLA, whole grains, chromium, vanadium…now arginine. The list is solid enough to wonder why every primary care provider does not use these tools as a first line of defense.
Dia Care — Abstracts: Piatti et al. 24 (5): 875
by James Bogash
IV L-Arginine Infusion Decreases Endothelin-1 Levels and Improves Endothelial Function in Patients w/ Angina and Normal Coronary Arteriograms — Correlation w/ Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels
I know this title seems awfully long, but I will use this article to demonstrate an important, developing concept in regards to hypertension and CVD. Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a compound that interferes with nitric oxide production. Keep in mind that nitric oxide is a potent vasidilator (this is the mechanism by which Viagra works–increased NO levels leads to greater blood flow…and so on…). Elevated ADMA levels will block the action of NO on blood vessels. Thus, anything that elevates ADMA levels will have a large impact on vasodilation and subsequently blood pressure. High insulin and homocysteine has been shown to increase ADMA levels by inactivating the enzyme that breaks down ADMA, essentially increasing ADMA levels.
In this study, we see that ADMA levels are increased in patients with Cardiac Syndrome X (not to be confused with Metabolic Syndrome X–someone should’ve check with someone on the nomenclature on THAT one!!) and administration of L-arginine reverses the effect of elevated ADMA (high arginine overrides ADMA suppressive effect). If this sounds confusing, keep your ears open–this concept will be gaining great interest over the next few years.
Circulation — Abstracts: Piatti et al. 107 (3): 429
by James Bogash
Some supplements for blood pressure use L arginine plus other items to lower blood pressure naturally. But are L arginine benefits stronger than lifestyle?
Natural medicine is not exempt from taking the wrong approach to fixing today’s chronic health problems. I have heard the term “green allopathy” to describe “natural” practitioners who use natural compounds in an allopathic (allopath = MD) model. A perfect example is using red yeast rice to lower cholesterol. Does it work? Seems to, but it’s a bad question to ask. The best question to ask is if this one cause-one cure approach fits with natural approaches.
The bottom line is that is doesn’t. Today’s chronic diseases are the result of multiple aspects of poor lifestyles that come together to create a disease state like diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer. If your lifestyle is pristine but you have Wonder bread for breakfast your chances of becoming diabetic are slim (NOT that I am suggesting that Wonder bread in any way, shape or form is ok for human consumption…).
So what about blood pressure?
A little Biochemistry 501.
First, we need to understand a compound called nitric oxide, or NO. It all starts with the search for a molecule that was known to relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Researchers knew it existed, but just couldn’t figure out the actual compound (the initial term was Endothelial-Derived-Relaxing-Factor, or EDRF). The compound was identified by Louis Ignarro in 1986 as NO. Basically, NO is a small molecule that has many functions, one of which is dilation of blood vessels to increase blood flow (aka nitroglycerin tablets, Viagra…).
There are two versions of the enzyme that produces NO in our body, called nitric oxide synthase. One version of these can be “turned on” by giving the amino acid L arginine. Thus was born the rise of L arginine, the wonder supplement. Direct marketing companies were formed entirely based on giving more L arginine. The bodybuilding industry hit it hard as well, produced “explode” type products containing L arginine to get you from a Stan Laurel to Swartzenegger in 2 weeks.
They all got caught up in the “green allopathy” model and forgot something important…
Nitric oxide has an arch enemy.
Asymmetrical dimethyl arginine (ADMA) is a compound that can be considered the arch enemy of nitric oxide. When ADMA levels are elevated, the enzyme that produces nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase, is slowed down, resulting in negative effects on blood pressure and our blood vessels. It basically counteracts the L arginine plus nitric oxide combo.
So what causes ADMA levels to go up?
Back to our ole’ friend prediabetes. Elevated insulin slows the enzyme that breaks ADMA levels, leading to higher levels of ADMA. Higher levels of ADMA means that the L arginine benefits are not going to have any long term effects.
Previous studies have looked at whether L arginine benefits on protecting the blood vessels were real and have fallen short.
This particular study goes beyond blood pressure to see if L arginine could have an effect on the cause, diabetes. But, since L arginine was not fixing anything in the first place, researchers did not find that L arginine had any effect on the risk of developing diabetes.
However, not to completely disparage L arginine, the researchers did find that supplementation over the course of 18 months did seem to improve the function of the beta cells of the pancreas and improve sugar handling in the body. Not a bad thing, but still follows the “green allopathy” mentality.
Overall, lifestyle changes designed to lower your risk of diabetes are the best option, and relying on a single supplement to fix the ills of our lifestyles will likely fall short.
by James Bogash
Involvement of nitric oxide pathway in the acute anticonvulsant effect of melatonin in mice
The biochemistry on this one gets a little deep, but stay with me for a second. First, this is a mouse study, so take it for what it’s worth. But this does show the incredibly complex interactions between the systems of the mammalian system.
In this study, melation was given to protect against seizures. But the beneficial effect was only seen in the presence of nitric oxide (actually, the benefit was seen when a nitric oxide precurser, L-arginine, was given). So, what about insulin resistance? We know that insulin resistance lowers the effective levels of nitric oxide. So, if melationin is going to be used to help manage seizures, insulin sensitivity has to be managed as well for the most positive effects. How ’bout that for a tangled web?
by James Bogash
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
Best Massage Therapist Mesa AZ
Arthritis Doctor Mesa AZ
Chiropractic Mesa AZ
Back Pain Doctor Mesa AZ
Rotator Cuff Doctor Mesa AZ
Chiropractor Mesa AZ
Massage Therapist Mesa AZ
PRP Therapy Mesa AZ
Knee Pain Doctor Mesa AZ
Stem Cell Therapy Mesa AZ
Headache Doctor Mesa AZ
Shoulder Pain Doctor Mesa AZ