Have you ever had to have your digestive tract examined, and been asked to swallow a great big glass of foul-tasting liquid containing barium, a metallic substance? If so, you'll be glad to know that a study has been done and that an item commonly found in many homes – whole milk – is just as effective, costs less and is easier on the patient than the diluted barium drink.
The study included 215 patients undergoing abdominal and pelvic CT, said Chi Wan Koo, MD, lead author of the study. All patients were given an IV contrast media; 115 were also given whole milk as an oral contrast agent; 100 received a 0.1% barium suspension. Two radiologists reviewed all the images and scored them based on degree of bowel distension and bowel wall visibility. Adequate bowel distension is necessary to optimize resolution of the bowel wall and contents, said Dr. Koo.
The study found that the images taken of patients who were given whole milk were just as useful as the images that were taken of patients given the diluted barium, she said.
In addition, patients were given a questionnaire, asking them how well they tolerated the oral contrast agents, and a cost comparison was done. “We found that milk was less expensive, it had better patient acceptance and fewer adverse symptoms,” Dr. Koo said.
Is this surprising? Not at all. I think that doctors, always in a rush to give you something that comes from a pharma company supplier, need to look more closely at natural products because not always do we have to rely on the chemical alternative.
Dave
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wham: New Research Suggests Apples and Aspirin a Good Combination
The British Journal of Nutrition is reporting that extracts from apples can play a strong role in protecting stomachs from ulcers and other complications associated with aspirin. This new study from Italy shows how increases in hormone-like substances associated with inflammation and related damage were lessened by an apple extract, a compound called a polyphenol.
There is quite a market now for supplements and functional foods associated with improved gastrointestinal health -- other apple derived substances such as pectin are already sold into this market.
One problem with the popular aspirin therapy recommended by many doctors is that stomach or peptic ulcers can develop. These are small holes or erosion in the gastrointestinal tract, and according to statistics from the US National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, they can affect as many as 14.5 million Americans.
It's nice to know that many of the complications of aspirin can be mitigated by simply eating an apple. While the researchers did not go so far as to recommend that, I would say that this is an obvious first step for anyone on an aspirin regimen. Later, there will no doubt be a number of supplements that offer this biochemical compound in a concentrated capsule form.
Polyphenols are getting a lot of press due to their antioxidant activity and the associated health benefits they bring with them. Many similar compounds have also been seen as possible protection against diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease. Other polyphenols have been reported to potentially offer protection from Alzheimer's.
Dave
There is quite a market now for supplements and functional foods associated with improved gastrointestinal health -- other apple derived substances such as pectin are already sold into this market.
One problem with the popular aspirin therapy recommended by many doctors is that stomach or peptic ulcers can develop. These are small holes or erosion in the gastrointestinal tract, and according to statistics from the US National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, they can affect as many as 14.5 million Americans.
It's nice to know that many of the complications of aspirin can be mitigated by simply eating an apple. While the researchers did not go so far as to recommend that, I would say that this is an obvious first step for anyone on an aspirin regimen. Later, there will no doubt be a number of supplements that offer this biochemical compound in a concentrated capsule form.
Polyphenols are getting a lot of press due to their antioxidant activity and the associated health benefits they bring with them. Many similar compounds have also been seen as possible protection against diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease. Other polyphenols have been reported to potentially offer protection from Alzheimer's.
Dave
Monday, May 26, 2008
Wham: New natural treatments for Dizziness and Vertigo
The American Academy of Neurology has developed new guidelines for treating vertigo which are described as easy and quick cures. Vertigo is an inner ear disorder that is a common cause of dizziness, and this research work is published in the May 27, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The disorder causes a feeling of spinning or whirling when the head is moved in certain ways, such as looking up or bending. The feeling lasts a short time but can be severe. No one likes to take drugs for such events, but that is exactly what has happened to thousands of people who have reported this occasional dizziness to their doctors.
The new guidelines say that vertigo can be treated with simple maneuvers—a series of head and body movements performed by a doctor or therapist while the patient sits on a bed or table.
Author Terry D. Fife, MD, of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, says “This type of vertigo is easily treated. Instead of telling patients to ‘wait it out’ or having them take drugs, we can perform a safe and quick treatment that is immediate and effective.”
New thinking about this disorder believes it to be caused by loose calcium carbonate crystals that move in the sensing tubes of the inner ear. The maneuvers that trained neurologists can perform actually move the calcium crystals out of the sensing tube and into another inner chamber of the ear, from which they can be absorbed.
The guideline also reviewed whether patients can perform the maneuvers safely and effectively at home. “Having patients treat themselves using home exercises seems to pose little risk, but there is not sufficient evidence that this is as effective as maneuvers done by a doctor or therapist,” Fife said. Still, it sounds as if it will be easy for doctors to show patients how to perform these simple head and body maneuvers at home in case of recurring problems.
A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as epilepsy, dystonia, and other brain issues.
Dave
The disorder causes a feeling of spinning or whirling when the head is moved in certain ways, such as looking up or bending. The feeling lasts a short time but can be severe. No one likes to take drugs for such events, but that is exactly what has happened to thousands of people who have reported this occasional dizziness to their doctors.
The new guidelines say that vertigo can be treated with simple maneuvers—a series of head and body movements performed by a doctor or therapist while the patient sits on a bed or table.
Author Terry D. Fife, MD, of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, says “This type of vertigo is easily treated. Instead of telling patients to ‘wait it out’ or having them take drugs, we can perform a safe and quick treatment that is immediate and effective.”
New thinking about this disorder believes it to be caused by loose calcium carbonate crystals that move in the sensing tubes of the inner ear. The maneuvers that trained neurologists can perform actually move the calcium crystals out of the sensing tube and into another inner chamber of the ear, from which they can be absorbed.
The guideline also reviewed whether patients can perform the maneuvers safely and effectively at home. “Having patients treat themselves using home exercises seems to pose little risk, but there is not sufficient evidence that this is as effective as maneuvers done by a doctor or therapist,” Fife said. Still, it sounds as if it will be easy for doctors to show patients how to perform these simple head and body maneuvers at home in case of recurring problems.
A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as epilepsy, dystonia, and other brain issues.
Dave
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Wham: Nasal Flush Proves Effective for Many
OK, it's been on Oprah now, so it's no longer big news. Still, I can't help but think that a lot of people would still like to know more about an ancient nasal allergy cure that has made the lives of thousands of people a heck of a lot easier.
I flush my nasal passages out every day during the allergy season, and I am happy to hear that Oprah does the same thing. Here's how it's done: Mix a quarter-teaspoon of noniodized salt with 8 ounces of lukewarm water. Tilt your head over a sink and pour 4 ounces of the solution into one nostril, then wait for it to exit the other nostril. Then switch nostrils and repeat using the remaining 4 ounces.
It's often done with what is called a "Neti Pot." Sometimes people will use a simple squirt bottle like a ketchup bottle that you'd see on the table at a Denny's.
Irrigation is particularly helpful for allergy patients who have mucus that's just plain hard to blow out with a regular sneeze. Rinsing it out can be very beneficial for those with this type of persistent mucus. I use it in combination with an herb called Kan Jang, and it is a great combination.
According to the current Harvard Women's Health Watch, irrigation has been shown to lower bacteria levels, ease the symptoms of sinusitis and, in some cases, reduce the risk of getting a sinus infection.
Neti pots are widely available – they sell for about $15 at Whole Foods Market – but some use the aforementioned squeeze bottle and salt water for much less. Personally, I find the neti pot much easier to use as it has been designed with this purpose in mind.
One reason nasal irrigation hasn't been more widely used before now is that some are uncomfortable with the initial feeling of having water move from one side of the nose, through the nasal passages, and out the other side. It IS a bit of an unusual feeling.
"It is kind of weird, putting water up your nose," says one regular user of the neti pot. "But it doesn't go down your throat at all, if you're doing it right."
And you'll enjoy a few hours of blessed relief from the allergies, which makes the slight inconvenience worthwhile.
Dave
I flush my nasal passages out every day during the allergy season, and I am happy to hear that Oprah does the same thing. Here's how it's done: Mix a quarter-teaspoon of noniodized salt with 8 ounces of lukewarm water. Tilt your head over a sink and pour 4 ounces of the solution into one nostril, then wait for it to exit the other nostril. Then switch nostrils and repeat using the remaining 4 ounces.
It's often done with what is called a "Neti Pot." Sometimes people will use a simple squirt bottle like a ketchup bottle that you'd see on the table at a Denny's.
Irrigation is particularly helpful for allergy patients who have mucus that's just plain hard to blow out with a regular sneeze. Rinsing it out can be very beneficial for those with this type of persistent mucus. I use it in combination with an herb called Kan Jang, and it is a great combination.
According to the current Harvard Women's Health Watch, irrigation has been shown to lower bacteria levels, ease the symptoms of sinusitis and, in some cases, reduce the risk of getting a sinus infection.
Neti pots are widely available – they sell for about $15 at Whole Foods Market – but some use the aforementioned squeeze bottle and salt water for much less. Personally, I find the neti pot much easier to use as it has been designed with this purpose in mind.
One reason nasal irrigation hasn't been more widely used before now is that some are uncomfortable with the initial feeling of having water move from one side of the nose, through the nasal passages, and out the other side. It IS a bit of an unusual feeling.
"It is kind of weird, putting water up your nose," says one regular user of the neti pot. "But it doesn't go down your throat at all, if you're doing it right."
And you'll enjoy a few hours of blessed relief from the allergies, which makes the slight inconvenience worthwhile.
Dave
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wham: Wine in the News Once Again
"A wine drinker, being at a table, was offered grapes at dessert. 'Thank you,' he said, pushing the dish away from him, 'but I'm not in the habit of taking my wine in pills.'" - Brillat-Savarin
A new study from researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine shows that modest wine consumption, defined as one glass a day, may not only be safe for the liver, but may actually decrease the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
It's interesting to note how often we see positive news about the benefits of daily wine consumption.
The study, which appears in the June 2008 issue of the journal Hepatology, showed that for individuals who reported drinking up to one glass of wine per day, as compared to no alcohol consumption, the risk of liver disease due to NAFLD was cut in half. In contrast, compared with wine drinkers, individuals who reported modest consumption of beer or liquor had over four (4) times the odds of having suspected NAFLD.
NAFLD is the most common liver disease in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults. Previous research has shown that as many as five percent of adults with NAFLD will develop cirrhosis. The major risk factors for NAFLD are similar to many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease—obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that modest alcohol consumption may reduce the risk for heart disease. However, recommendations for modest alcohol consumption in individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease have overlooked that these same people are also at an increased risk for NAFLD. Thus, there exists a dilemma as to whether modest alcohol consumption for the heart is safe in regards to the liver. The UC San Diego investigators sought to clarify this important question.
Research did not provide any support for drinking larger amounts. “We want to emphasize that people at risk for alcohol abuse should not consider consuming wine or any other alcoholic beverage,” said Schwimmer, who also pointed out that, although this is the first study to address this important dilemma, the findings do not address those who already have liver disease and should not be drinking alcohol at all.
“Because this effect was only seen with wine, not in beer or liquor, further studies will be needed to determine whether the benefits seen were due to the alcohol or non-alcohol components of wine,” added Schwimmer.
Dave
A new study from researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine shows that modest wine consumption, defined as one glass a day, may not only be safe for the liver, but may actually decrease the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
It's interesting to note how often we see positive news about the benefits of daily wine consumption.
The study, which appears in the June 2008 issue of the journal Hepatology, showed that for individuals who reported drinking up to one glass of wine per day, as compared to no alcohol consumption, the risk of liver disease due to NAFLD was cut in half. In contrast, compared with wine drinkers, individuals who reported modest consumption of beer or liquor had over four (4) times the odds of having suspected NAFLD.
NAFLD is the most common liver disease in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults. Previous research has shown that as many as five percent of adults with NAFLD will develop cirrhosis. The major risk factors for NAFLD are similar to many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease—obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that modest alcohol consumption may reduce the risk for heart disease. However, recommendations for modest alcohol consumption in individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease have overlooked that these same people are also at an increased risk for NAFLD. Thus, there exists a dilemma as to whether modest alcohol consumption for the heart is safe in regards to the liver. The UC San Diego investigators sought to clarify this important question.
Research did not provide any support for drinking larger amounts. “We want to emphasize that people at risk for alcohol abuse should not consider consuming wine or any other alcoholic beverage,” said Schwimmer, who also pointed out that, although this is the first study to address this important dilemma, the findings do not address those who already have liver disease and should not be drinking alcohol at all.
“Because this effect was only seen with wine, not in beer or liquor, further studies will be needed to determine whether the benefits seen were due to the alcohol or non-alcohol components of wine,” added Schwimmer.
Dave
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Study Finds that Medical Journals with Heavy Pharma Advertising More Likely to Degrade Dietary Supplements Industry
A study published in the online journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in April has found that there may be a correlation between the amount of pharmaceutical advertising that a medical journal contains and its editorial content concerning dietary supplements.
My belief is that this study clearly shows how the dietary supplement and alternative healthcare industries are pushed aside in favor of large corporate advertising budgets.
For the study, researchers recorded instances of pharmaceutical advertisements (including ads for prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and drug-eluting stents) and dietary supplement editorial content in all issues published within a 1-year time span of 11 major medical journals. The 11 selected journals focus on general medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics, and issues spanned from June 2006 through June 2007.
According to the authors’ results, the average number of pharmaceutical ads varied from less than a page to over 60 pages per issue, and the amount of dietary supplement editorial content ranged from 4 to 61 instances per journal. The journals with the most pharmaceutical ads published fewer major articles about dietary supplements (i.e., original research, editorials, reviews) per issue than journals with a medium level of such ads. Journals with the fewest pharmaceutical ads published the most major dietary supplement articles. Here's the kicker . . . Journals with the most pharmaceutical advertising were also significantly more likely to publish major articles concluding that dietary supplements were unsafe than journals with a medium or low level of pharmaceutical advertising.
The study’s results were consistent with the authors’ hypothesis that pharmaceutical advertising may bias journals against non-drug therapies.
Dave Jensen
My belief is that this study clearly shows how the dietary supplement and alternative healthcare industries are pushed aside in favor of large corporate advertising budgets.
For the study, researchers recorded instances of pharmaceutical advertisements (including ads for prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and drug-eluting stents) and dietary supplement editorial content in all issues published within a 1-year time span of 11 major medical journals. The 11 selected journals focus on general medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics, and issues spanned from June 2006 through June 2007.
According to the authors’ results, the average number of pharmaceutical ads varied from less than a page to over 60 pages per issue, and the amount of dietary supplement editorial content ranged from 4 to 61 instances per journal. The journals with the most pharmaceutical ads published fewer major articles about dietary supplements (i.e., original research, editorials, reviews) per issue than journals with a medium level of such ads. Journals with the fewest pharmaceutical ads published the most major dietary supplement articles. Here's the kicker . . . Journals with the most pharmaceutical advertising were also significantly more likely to publish major articles concluding that dietary supplements were unsafe than journals with a medium or low level of pharmaceutical advertising.
The study’s results were consistent with the authors’ hypothesis that pharmaceutical advertising may bias journals against non-drug therapies.
Dave Jensen
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sham: Concern regarding herbal products adulteration
There is a huge difference between brands of herbs, vitamins and minerals, and all "natural" products for that matter. It is Just like the difference in quality between brands for any other type of product . . . one company chooses to go the quality route while another company chooses to become the low-price leader.
An article appearing last year in Nutraceuticals World, July/August 2007, opens the door to the herbal products industry and allows the reader to learn more about concerns that companies have about the raw materials they buy as ingredients in their herbal dietary supplements. This article was written by Dr. Steven Dentali of the AHPA. Even though Dentali is on the staff of a trade association which promotes herbal products (the American Herbal Products Association) his concerns are expressed openly about the unethical practice of allowing raw materials providers to defraud the consumer. These suppliers often come from China.
Take, for example, those botanical products which are used for Dietary Supplements from the Biberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Dentali says in this article that bilberry extracts are now being found in the market which are adulterated with the chemical dye amaranth, more commonly known as Red Dye #2. This was banned from the food supply in 1976 when the FDA discovered it was a possible carcinogen.
Quality companies (like Indena , the 120 year old leader in the field of bilberry) do assays via HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) to ensure the quality of their product. This testing produces an HPLC "fingerprint" which tells them if the tested material identifies with the original appearance of the plant's various compounds. In the case of Bilberry, there are fifteen different biochemicals called "anthocyanins" that create the fingerprint.
Producers of Bilberry extracts are now concerned, as they should be, that raw materials providers often substitute these fake-bilberry agents. Regularly, HPLC fingerprinting done on bilberry products shows a different appearance than the pure botanical agent would via the same test.
Rhodiola is another herb which could be faked. A popular new Rhodiola product is MIND BODY & SPIRIT, which is the purest form of Siberian Rhodiola roseain the world. Each batch of that Rhodiola is HPLC fingerprinted and standardized to the dozen biochemicals which make for the Rhodiola effect on the brain (mental clarity, energy, mood uplift, etc). It is entirely possible, however, (and in fact it has been reported) that some of the biochemicals in Rhodiola can be found cheap and easily in other plants. Unscrupulous raw materials suppliers can take advantage of companies that don't do thorough HPLC fingerprinting. In those cases, Rosavins and Salidrosides (two of the active biochemical compounds in Rhodiola) may appear to be from Rhodiola rosea, the plant of choice, but in actuality they could be substitutes from another species.
Cheap brands of Rhodiola are now showing up in drug stores, Internet sites and vitamin shops. Herbal analysts are concerned this one may be the next herb to be tainted by adulteration.
In all matters, whether it is herbs or anything else, you generally get what you pay for. A botanical extract from one company may not even resemble the extract sold by another company. That's why it is so important for consumers to rely on companies that perform their own clinical trials. And the results of those clinical trials do not in any way support other brands of products that may not check their raw materials suppliers as rigorously. Always buy from companies that perform their own studies, as they use this research to ensure a quality product free from adulteration.
Dave
An article appearing last year in Nutraceuticals World, July/August 2007, opens the door to the herbal products industry and allows the reader to learn more about concerns that companies have about the raw materials they buy as ingredients in their herbal dietary supplements. This article was written by Dr. Steven Dentali of the AHPA. Even though Dentali is on the staff of a trade association which promotes herbal products (the American Herbal Products Association) his concerns are expressed openly about the unethical practice of allowing raw materials providers to defraud the consumer. These suppliers often come from China.
Take, for example, those botanical products which are used for Dietary Supplements from the Biberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Dentali says in this article that bilberry extracts are now being found in the market which are adulterated with the chemical dye amaranth, more commonly known as Red Dye #2. This was banned from the food supply in 1976 when the FDA discovered it was a possible carcinogen.
Quality companies (like Indena , the 120 year old leader in the field of bilberry) do assays via HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) to ensure the quality of their product. This testing produces an HPLC "fingerprint" which tells them if the tested material identifies with the original appearance of the plant's various compounds. In the case of Bilberry, there are fifteen different biochemicals called "anthocyanins" that create the fingerprint.
Producers of Bilberry extracts are now concerned, as they should be, that raw materials providers often substitute these fake-bilberry agents. Regularly, HPLC fingerprinting done on bilberry products shows a different appearance than the pure botanical agent would via the same test.
Rhodiola is another herb which could be faked. A popular new Rhodiola product is MIND BODY & SPIRIT, which is the purest form of Siberian Rhodiola roseain the world. Each batch of that Rhodiola is HPLC fingerprinted and standardized to the dozen biochemicals which make for the Rhodiola effect on the brain (mental clarity, energy, mood uplift, etc). It is entirely possible, however, (and in fact it has been reported) that some of the biochemicals in Rhodiola can be found cheap and easily in other plants. Unscrupulous raw materials suppliers can take advantage of companies that don't do thorough HPLC fingerprinting. In those cases, Rosavins and Salidrosides (two of the active biochemical compounds in Rhodiola) may appear to be from Rhodiola rosea, the plant of choice, but in actuality they could be substitutes from another species.
Cheap brands of Rhodiola are now showing up in drug stores, Internet sites and vitamin shops. Herbal analysts are concerned this one may be the next herb to be tainted by adulteration.
In all matters, whether it is herbs or anything else, you generally get what you pay for. A botanical extract from one company may not even resemble the extract sold by another company. That's why it is so important for consumers to rely on companies that perform their own clinical trials. And the results of those clinical trials do not in any way support other brands of products that may not check their raw materials suppliers as rigorously. Always buy from companies that perform their own studies, as they use this research to ensure a quality product free from adulteration.
Dave
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