Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – April 2002

Folic Acid for Prevention of Colorectal Cancer -
Two studies published in March associate folic acid intake with lower rates of colorectal cancer, the leading cause of cause of cancer death in the US:

The study in International Journal of Cancer found that diets high in folate are associated with lower rates of colorectal cancer. The study surveyed 56,000 Canadian women between ages 40 and 59 over ten years. Women in the upper 20% of folic acid intake were found to have a 40% lower risk of colorectal cancer than women in the lowest 20%.

The study published in the Journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention also found that women who have a history of colon cancer can reduce their risk by taking vitamins containing folic acid. The Harvard researchers followed the more than 88,000 women from the prestigious Nurse's Health Study for 16 years. Those taking more than 400 mcg folic acid daily largely negated the effects of family history.

For more information on the importance of folate in prevention, the potential genetic defect that may inhibit proper absorption of folate, and the most up-to-date research, click folapro.

Low Magnesium Linked to Heart Disease Deaths -
According to MS Seelig, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, correction of magnesium inadequacy might reduce prevalence and severity insulin resistance and heart disease. However, current American nutrition doctrine emphasizes increasing calcium intake to as much as 1500-2000mg daily, without regard to the influence of such intakes on the dietary cal/mag ratio, which might reach 6/1. A 4/1 dietary cal/mag ratio is blamed, in part, for the high ischemic heart disease rate of middle aged men in Finland (Finland also has highest osteoporosis rate in the world). In contrast, the high mag/cal ratio of healthy centenarians in Italy suggests that elevated mag might even prolong life. Nutrition Week Abstracts, 2002 (abstract 76)

Basikol Found Effective in Pilot Study -
In a recent small, pilot study with her patients, medical director of the Cholesterol Management Center at the New England Heart Institute, Mary McGowan, M.D., recorded significantly lower cholesterol levels when using Basikol™ cholesterol-reducing supplement. The study subjects regimen was based on taking 800mg twice daily with a meal. Two of the five subjects were also on statins (lipid-lowering medications). Dr. McGowan recorded an average reduction of 18% in cholesterol levels for the group. Patients experienced decreases between 8% and 32%, which suggests a considerable variation in the response from person to person.

Folic Acid Reduces Cardiovascular Risk In Elderly -
Elderly people who take a daily supplement of folic acid may lower blood homocysteine levels, which are associated with cardiovascular risk. This is the first study to demonstrate its effect with the elderly. The researchers found that those supplementing with 400 mcg or 600 mcg daily, had a significant reduction in homocysteine levels. The results also suggest that a total folic acid intake (from food and supplements) of 900 to 1000 mcg per day is required to ensure 95% of the elderly population would be without cardiovascular risk from elevated homocysteine resulting from folic acid deficiency. Quarterly Journal of Medicine, 2002;95:27-35.

Alpha Lipoic Acid, Acetyl-L-Carnitine May Aid Cognitive Health-
At the February Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a professor at U of Cal-Berkley reported that acetyl-L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid may reverse the effects aging has on the brain. These two supplements may reduce oxidative damage to the brain's mitochondria, a major factor in cognitive decline.

Italy Pulls Meridia Off the Market -
Reuters reported March 7th that Italy's Health Minister suspended sales of the anti-obesity drug Meridia after 50 reports of adverse events among people taking the medicines.

High Protein with Calcium Supplementation Makes Healthy Bone Density -
Tufts University researchers reports elderly Americans who are on high protein diets and have adequate calcium intake can reverse bone loss. The randomized, placebo-controlled study showed improvement in bone density for adults who were supplemented with calcium and ate high protein diets as opposed to those who were supplemented with the placebo. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April Issue

Report Links Vioxx -
According to a report in this weeks Archives of Internal Medicine, the painkiller Vioxx has been linked to five cases of a nonbacterial type of meningitis. All cases were serious, needing hospitalization. The FDA has asked that nonbacterial meningitis be added as a side-effect on the label. Seven cases have been reported to the FDA since 1999.

Oolong Tea Increases Metabolic Rate and Fat Oxidation -

The Chinese believe oolong controls body weight. Randomized cross-over design of 12 men consuming 1) water 2) full-strength tea (15g) 3) half-strength tea (7.5g) 4) water containing 270 mg caffeine. EE (energy expenditure) increased 2.9 and 3.4% for the full-strength tea and caffeinated water as opposed to just water. Fat oxidation was 12% higher with full-strength tea rather than water.
Journal Nutrition 131: 2848-2852

Cave Men Diet Offer Insights to Today’s Health Problems - Suggests eating meat, but meat from animals that graze on grass. Grass-fed animals have ideal Omega 3-Omega-6 ratios (two Omega-6 to one Omega-3). Specific hunter-gatherer societies who still eat similar to cave men diets exceed our recommended guidelines for fat, but do not have the modern maladies associated with high fat diets. They have low serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition January 2002

Poultry Industry Quietly Cuts Back on Antibiotic Use -

Foster Farms uses no antibiotics at all, except to treat sick birds. Perdue Farms uses antibiotics that are not used in human medicine. Tyson uses two antibiotics only when a flock is at risk of disease. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Popeye’s refuse to buy chicken that has been treated with Cipro. Still, the only way to be certain chickens have not been treated is to purchase antibiotic-free or organic. Europe is pushing to replace antibiotics with garlic in livestock. New York Times 2/10/02

Kids With ADD May Benefit From Alternative Therapies -

Elimination of food additives and salicylates, and refined sugar may reduce symptoms. Essential Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA/GLA/Linoleic Acid) show promise. Alternative Therapies Health Medicine 2002;8;68-74

Placebo, Drugs Both Activate Brain in Pain relief -

Swedish Researchers suggest pain relief may be mind over matter. Brain has a built-in mechanism for dealing with pain. Placebo and painkiller activated activity in same brain region. Coincides with research in January showing patients with depression who responded to either placebo or anti-depressant drugs had similar brain activity. Science February 2002

Scientists Say Cough Mixture May Not Work -

15 trials of cough remedies (included antihistamines and decongestants) showed no better effect than placebo. 2000 person trial at U of Bristol. Do not recommend these as first-line treatment for coughs associated with upper respiratory tract. infection British Medical Journal February 2002

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