Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: RNA


Ribonucleic acid or RNA acts as a messenger between DNA and the protein synthesis complexes known as ribosomes, forms vital portions of ribosomes, and acts as an essential carrier molecule for amino acids to be used in protein synthesis.

RNA is very similar to DNA, but differs in a few important structural details: RNA is single stranded, while DNA is double stranded. Also, RNA nucleotides contain ribose sugars while DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA uses predominantly uracil instead of thymine present in DNA.

RNA is transcribed from DNA by enzymes called RNA polymerases and further processed by other enzymes. RNA serves as the template for translation of genes into proteins, transferring amino acids to the ribosome to form proteins, and also translating the transcript into proteins.

RNA is a polymer with a ribose and phosphate backbone and four different bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil. The first three are the same as those found in DNA, but in RNA thymine is replaced by uracil as the base complementary to adenine.

Uracil is energetically less expensive to produce than thymine, which may account for its use in RNA. Having thymine as the normal base in DNA makes detection and repair of incipient mutations more effective. Thus uracil is appropriate for RNA, where quantity is important but lifespan is not, whereas thymine is appropriate for DNA where maintaining sequence with high fidelity is more critical.

Monday, June 24, 2019

Decaf Coffee

Decaffeinated coffee, or "decaf," is similar in taste and appearance to regular coffee but contains very little caffeine. There is no evidence to suggest that drinking decaf is bad for a person's health, and it may even share some of the health benefits of regular coffee.

According to a 2017 research review, decaf coffee is similar in composition to regular coffee but contains little or no caffeine. To remove the caffeine, manufacturers soak or steam unroasted coffee beans using a combination of water and other chemicals, such as: activated charcoal, supercritical carbon dioxide, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. Manufacturers use water because caffeine is a water-soluble substance. However, using water by itself may remove other compounds, such as proteins and sugar, from the coffee beans. Using additional chemicals speeds up the decaffeination process, which minimizes the loss of noncaffeine compounds and helps preserve the distinct coffee flavor.

One 2-17 study reviewed 201 meta-analyses of observational research into coffee consumption. Its authors concluded that decaf coffee does not appear to have any harmful health effects. However, the use of methylene chloride in the decaffeination process has raised some concern among members of the coffee community as well as some consumers.

Inhaling even small amounts of methylene chloride — around 200 parts per million (ppm) in the air — can temporarily slow down the central nervous system and affect a person's attention and hand-eye coordination. Mild exposure can also lead to symptoms such as: headache, drowsiness, lightheadedness, irritability, coughing or wheezing

Friday, June 21, 2019

Gut bacteria: The surprising impact of viruses

The microbiome plays a vital role in health. A recent study has investigated how viruses that kill gut bacteria influence these microbes. The findings make an already complicated picture much more so. The microbiome is both fascinating and fashionable.
The increase in public interest has provided a boost in funding to study the interactions between us and our gut bacteria. Scientists have now found relationships between the microbiome and a range of conditions, from diabetes and obesity to Parkinson's and depression.

Thanks to gut bacteria's high profile, grocery stores shelves are now brimming with probiotic products. Despite their wide availability and popularity, however, there is little evidence to suggest that they provide many benefits outside a small number of specific conditions. Although scientists know that the microbes within us are vital, designing a way to moderate them to improve health and fight disease is still a long way off.

The primary reason for this is the dazzling complexity of the microbiome. It is not a single, homogenous entity, but a world of microscopic beings that interact, influence, and inhibit their neighbors, capable of killing, nourishing, and communicating with each other. Already, at this point, we can see the vast difficulties in understanding the ins and outs of the microbiome, but some researchers are examining the next level of complexity: bacteriophages.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Research Study on the Effectiveness of Stem Cell Injections


Between June 2014 and February 2017, data from 233 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated with BMAC injection at a single center were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients with idiopathic osteoarthritis were included. Exclusion criteria were post-traumatic osteoarthritis, previous knee surgery, age less than 50 years old or more than 85 years old, active infection, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, rheumatological or other systemic disease, malignancy, or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. Bone marrow from the iliac crest was aspirated/concentrated with a standardized technique using a single-spin manual method. Patients were evaluated before and after the procedure, using the numeric pain scale (NPS) and Oxford knee score (OKS). Mean follow-up period was 11 months, range (6e30 months).

A total of 121 of 233 patients had completed data as previously defined and were included in the statistical analysis. There were 85 females and 36 males, with mean age 70 years (range 50e85). Compared to baseline, the mean NPS decreased from 8.33 to 4.49 (p 0.001) and the mean OKS increased from 20.20 to 32.29 (P 0.001) at final follow-up. There were no complications.

A single intra-articular injection of BMAC is a safe and reliable procedure that results in clinical improvement of knee OA.

My Take:
This is just the summary of the full article which Apex was kind enough to send to me. The published study listed any conflicts of interest, financial support and most importantly limitations of the study. The study was self-supported by the clinic in Greece that performed all the procedures without any outside financial support.

Monday, June 17, 2019

NAFLD

Sedentary lifestyles, nutrient-poor diets, chemical exposure, and an excess of sugar and refined foods are wreaking havoc on and in our bodies more than ever before. And the effects aren’t just cosmetic – beyond bulging waistlines, the incidence of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol associated with metabolic syndrome are all on the rise, along with the rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

As the name implies, NAFLD (casually pronounced “naffled”) is a condition in which the liver stores excess fat occurring in those who drink little to no alcohol. Over time NAFLD can not only increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but can also lead to further ailments of the liver like cirrhosis and liver cancer – conditions also seen in heavy alcohol consumers, but now more commonly seen in non-drinkers. In fact, NAFLD is the leading cause of liver disease in the West, often concurrent with other metabolic conditions: approximately 40 to 80% of people with the disease also have type 2 diabetes, and 30 to 90% are obese. As with metabolic syndrome, the incidence of NAFLD is also on the rise among children, affecting an estimated 3 to 12% of children with normal body mass and an alarming 40 to 80% of obese children.

The umbrella term NAFLD encompasses two sub-categories: nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), which is characterized by fatty liver with little to no inflammation; and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is the more harmful of the two and is defined as fatty liver with inflammation. It’s estimated that 30 to 40% of American adults have NAFL and about 3 to 12% have NASH.

Friday, June 14, 2019

Almond, hemp, oat, soy, and cow's milk: Which is best?

The number of people choosing nondairy, plant-based alternatives to cow's milk appears to be growing. So, how do these different milks compare nutritionally? Research from 2018 says that eating and drinking milk that comes from cows has been falling, with interest in alternative milks rising.

One of the main medical reasons why people choose plant-based milk products is to avoid symptoms of lactose intolerance or a cow milk protein allergy. Doctors estimate the incidence of this allergy is 2 to 5% in children under 3 years old. The incidence is lower in adults.
Some people may also choose plant-based milk products because they believe they are more sustainable, ethical, or healthful options compared to cow's milk.

Almond milk is one of the most widely consumed plant-based milk variety in North America, the European Union, and Australia. Researchers have suggested that almond milk is an effective alternative for children and adults who suffer with allergies or intolerances to milk. Compared to cow's milk, almond milk has less saturated fat and more unsaturated fats. The healthful fats in almond milk may help people lose weight and keep it off. Almond milk is low in calories and protein, which may not be suitable for all people, especially children.

Some manufacturers add calcium to almond milk to better resemble the nutritional content in cow's milk. People may not be able to absorb as much of this calcium as they would from dairy, so they should be sure to consume plenty of other calcium sources, such as dark green vegetables. Almond milk is available in flavored varieties. Some of these products have added sugar to extend the shelf life and improve the flavor and texture.

Unflavored hemp beverages are also low in calories and protein compared with cow's milk. There is, however, more protein in hemp beverages than in almond milk. Hemp seeds are also high in polyunsaturated fats, similarly to almond milk. Research shows that replacing saturated fats with these more healthful fats can help lower a person's overall cholesterol.


Monday, June 10, 2019

Common heartburn drug linked with fatal conditions

New research suggests that drugs commonly used for heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers may raise the risk of numerous fatal conditions, including heart disease and stomach cancer. Physicians often prescribe proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) to treat gastrointestinal conditions that involve an excess of acid production. Nexium, Aciphex, Zegerid, Dexilant, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix are only some of the brand names that PPIs have taken over the years.

More than 15 million people in the United States take prescription PPIs, according to the most recent statistics available, and even more may be taking over-the-counter PPIs.
A new study, appearing in the journal The BMJ, suggests that these drugs may increase the risk of death from various chronic health conditions.

Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, an assistant professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, is the senior investigator of the study. For the new study, Dr. Al-Aly and colleagues examined data from the medical records of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The researchers looked at data available from mid-2002 to mid-2004, a period during which 157,625 people in the cohort received PPI prescriptions from their physicians and 56,842 people received H2 blockers, another kind of acid suppressant.

The scientists clinically followed the participants — who were predominantly male, Caucasian, and 65 years old or older — for up to a decade. They used the data to build a statistical model of a clinical trial, which would see the participants randomly assigned to take either PPI or H2 blockers. This allowed them to estimate that during the follow-up period, there would be 45.2 excess deaths per every 1,000 individuals taking PPIs.

Friday, June 7, 2019

Gluten Free?

While gluten-free dining options have been steadily increasing, new research has elucidated that there may still be gluten in your “gluten-free” foods. While packaged foods labeled as gluten-free must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten, there is no similar standard for gluten-free restaurant foods.

A study, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology in March 2019, reported that a significant amount of restaurant foods classified as gluten-free contain detectable amounts of gluten. The study had participants use a portable device called a Nima Gluten Sensor to test their food. 804 users conducted 5,624 tests in an 18-month period.

The results revealed that gluten was detected in 32% of the foods that were designated gluten-free. Interestingly, the researchers found that gluten detection differed by meal and type of food with the most gluten detection occurring at dinner and more than 50% of pizza and pasta samples testing positive for gluten. Additionally, when stratified by region, researchers found that gluten contamination was less likely to occur in the West than in the Northeast regions of the United States.

These results support the fact that there is gluten contamination in restaurant foods. It should be noted that the Nima device is very sensitive and can detect gluten at 5-10 parts per million, which has unknown clinical significance for those with celiac disease. Nevertheless, this study highlights the prevalence of gluten contamination in restaurants and brings to light the importance of finding gluten-free menus you can trust. The study concluded that their “findings of higher rates of gluten detection in pizza and pasta provide practical data when providing dining strategies for patients with celiac disease”.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Improved Quality of Life with Magnesium


Recent research looked at the disability levels, quality of life, and anxiety and depressive symptoms in 34 children aged 7-17 after six months of magnesium prophylaxis for pediatric migraines. According to the researchers, “After 6 months of magnesium prophylaxis, disability due to migraine significantly decreased, whereas physical and psychosocial well-being improved.”

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is a cofactor for more than 300 enzyme systems regulating a variety of chemical reactions in the body. Magnesium is involved in protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, and regulation of blood pressure. Magnesium is also involved in energy production as it is necessary for ATP production and glycolysis. Magnesium also contributes to the structural development of bone and is necessary for the synthesis of DNA and RNA.

Magnesium is important for detoxification as it is needed to product glutathione. Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm. Other studies also show a link between low magnesium and headaches.

Monday, June 3, 2019

Cinnamon

Common Names:  cinnamon, cinnamon bark, Ceylon cinnamon, cassia cinnamon

Latin Name: Cinnamomum verum (also known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Cinnamomum cassia

There are many types of cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon, native to China, is the most common type sold in the United States and Canada. Ceylon cinnamon, native to Sri Lanka, is common in other countries and is known as “true” cinnamon.

Used as a spice for thousands of years, cinnamon comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree. Essential oils are made from the bark, leaves, or twigs of cassia cinnamon.

Cinnamon has a long history as a traditional medicine, including for bronchitis.
Today, some people use cinnamon as a dietary supplement for gastrointestinal problems, loss of appetite, and diabetes, among other conditions.

Cinnamon is used in capsules, teas, and extracts.

Studies done in people don’t support using cinnamon for any health condition.

A 2012 systematic review of 10 randomized controlled clinical trials in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes suggests that cinnamon doesn’t help to reduce levels of glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a long-term measure of glucose (blood sugar) control.
A product containing cinnamon, calcium, and zinc didn’t improve blood pressure in a small study of people with type 2 diabetes.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)-supported research is looking at the effect of cinnamon on processes involved in multiple sclerosis.

Friday, May 31, 2019

High uric acid directly inhibits insulin signaling and induces insulin resistance

Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that hyperuricemia is strongly associated with abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. However, how high uric acid (HUA) level causes insulin resistance remains unclear. We aimed to determine the direct role of HUA in insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo in mice.

An acute hyperuricemia mouse model was created by potassium oxonate treatment, and the impact of HUA level on insulin resistance was investigated by glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test and insulin signaling, including phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and Akt. HepG2 cells were exposed to HUA treatment and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), reactive oxygen species scavenger; IRS1 and Akt phosphorylation was detected by Western blot analysis after insulin treatment.

Hyperuricemic mice showed impaired glucose tolerance with insulin resistance. Hyperuricemia inhibited phospho-Akt (Ser473) response to insulin and increased phosphor-IRS1 (Ser307) in liver, muscle and fat tissues. HUA induced oxidative stress, and the antioxidant NAC blocked HUA-induced IRS1 activation and Akt inhibition in HepG2 cells.

This study supplies the first evidence of HUA directly inducing insulin resistance in vivo and in vitro. Increased uric acid level may inhibit IRS1 and Akt insulin signalling and induce insulin resistance. The reactive oxygen species pathway plays a key role in HUA-induced insulin resistance.

Friday, May 24, 2019

'Clear Relationship' Between Appendectomy and Parkinson's

An analysis of the health system records of more than 62 million people in the United States has found a link between appendix removal and raised risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

The researchers compared data on people who had undergone an appendectomy, or appendix removal, to those who had not were more than three times more likely to develop
Parkinson's disease later on. The findings are further evidence of a connection between the gut and the brain in Parkinson's disease.

In a gastroenterology abstract about the study, the authors suggest that what is missing from the research on appendix removal and Parkinson's disease risk is "large-scale epidemiological data." Lead study author Dr. Mohammed Z. Sheriff, who works as a physician at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University, also in Cleveland, OH, is presenting the findings at the 2019 Digestive Disease Week meeting that takes place May 18–21 in San Diego, CA.

Parkinson's is a disease that gradually destroys cells in a part of the brain that helps control movement. The symptoms of Parkinson's include movement rigidity, tremor, slowness, and balance difficulties. Because it most often strikes older people, the number and proportion of individuals living with Parkinson's disease are rising in aging populations. As yet, there is no cure and no treatment that slows down Parkinson's disease. An avenue that scientists are pursuing concerns alpha-synuclein, which is a protein that features in the development of Parkinson's disease. Although it is not clear what function it serves in those without the disease, alpha-synuclein forms toxic clumps called Lewy bodies in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease. Dr. Sheriff says that more recent research has found clumps of alpha-synuclein in the digestive tract of people in the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Detox Drinks


Some people claim that detox drinks help remove toxins from a person's body and promote weight loss. Typically, a person will include detox drinks as part of a detox diet. However, there is very little evidence that these types of drinks and diet have any detoxification effects. The use of the word detox is not always appropriate. Detox drinks may boost health, aid in weight loss, and support the body's natural detoxification processes, but this is different from medical detoxification.

An article in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics notes that some studies show that commercially available detox diets may improve the way a person's liver removes toxins from their body. However, the article also highlights that these studies had flawed methodologies and small sample sizes. A study in the journal Current Gastroenterology Reports found that a detox diet may help a person lose weight, but only because the diet is low in calories. Further, the authors note that diets that help a person lose weight by significantly reducing the number of calories they consume are unsustainable. Typically, people who undertake such calorie-restrictive diets put the weight back in the medium-to-long term.

The National Center for Integrative and Natural Health (NCINH) point out that as well as causing problems with a person's weight in the mid-to-long term, a person on a detox diet may not be getting the nutrition they require to keep their body healthy. Although they do not detox in the medical sense, detox drinks can be healthful.

Typically, people use a food processor to turn raw ingredients into a smoothie. As well as being a convenient way to consume fruits and vegetables, using fresh ingredients preserves the fiber in fruits and vegetables, which the juice alone lacks.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Prescription Drug Use


During 2015-2016, about 46% of the US population used one or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days, down slightly from 48% a decade ago, according to new data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For the 2015-2016 period, prescription drug use increased with age, from 18% among children younger than 12 years to 85% among adults 60 and older, Cynthia L. Ogden, PhD, and colleagues report in a data brief published online May 8.

Prescription drug use was lower among males (42%) than females (50%), although the pattern differed by age. Among children up to age 11, prescription drug use was higher among boys (22%) than girls (14%), while among adults aged 20 to 59, prescription drug use was lower among men (38%) than women (56%). There were no significant differences by gender among adolescents aged 12 to 19 or adults aged 60 or over.

Prescription drug use was highest among non-Hispanic whites (50%), followed by non-Hispanic blacks (45%), and lowest among non-Hispanic Asian (33%) and Hispanic individuals (37%).

Monday, April 29, 2019

Bill’s Blog Is On Vacation

My wife and I are in Europe celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary.
No internet and no blogs until Wisdom Wednesday, May 15th!

Friday, April 26, 2019

Researchers look at the link between gut bacteria and autism

New research looks to the gut microbiome to try to address some of the symptoms associated with autism, but this investigation comes with its own set of problems.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explain that "autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction." They also point out that specialists use the term "spectrum," as autism is different in different individuals. The condition can incorporate a "wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability in functioning."

Research has also found that autistic children often experience chronic gastrointestinal problems a lot more frequently than children without autism. This has led scientists from Arizona State University in Tempe to explore whether a fairly new form of therapy — microbiota transfer therapy (MTT) — can help solve gastrointestinal issues in autistic children. Also, they wanted to see whether this intervention could affect other autism markers. MTT involves collecting, processing, and freezing the fecal material of healthy people, and then administering it — orally or rectally — to the person receiving the treatment. Thus, the healthy bacteria should re-establish a balance in the gut microbiome of the person experiencing gastrointestinal problems.

The researchers explain that at the start of the study, autistic children had poorer bacterial diversity in the gut, compared with neurotypical children with healthy and balanced microbiota. More specifically, two beneficial bacterial strands — Bifidobacteria and Prevotella — were lacking in the microbiota of children on the spectrum. Following the initial MTT intervention, the autistic children experienced more gut bacterial diversity, including increased levels of Bifidobacteria and Prevotella. In the new clinical trial, which measured bacterial diversity in the gut after 2 years from the intervention, the children had even more bacterial diversity and a steady presence of healthful bacteria.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Thyroidectomy Seems to Improve Quality of Life in Hashimoto Disease


Total thyroidectomy appears to improve quality of life in patients with Hashimoto disease, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Roughly 150 adults with Hashimoto-related symptoms despite adequate hormone substitution were randomized to receive either total thyroidectomy with standard medical therapy or medical therapy alone. All had serum antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody titers above 1000 IU/mL at baseline.

At 18 months, surgery patients had significantly better health-related quality-of-life scores than did controls. Surgery patients also had improved fatigue scores, and their serum anti-TPO antibody levels were significantly lower.

My Take:
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. It is estimated that a third of all patients suffering from hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s.

The condition often goes undiagnosed as the confirmatory tests – thyroid peroxidase and thyroid autoantibodies – are seldom performed. However, there is renewed interest in Hashimoto’s as evidenced by this study.

Traditional treatment of Hashimoto’s disease is limited to hormone replacement therapy using Synthroid. There is no medical approach to treat the underlying autoimmune disease. Even in this extreme treatment where the thyroid gland is surgically removed, the underlying disease is not addressed.

Monday, April 22, 2019

Review: The Role of Vitamin D and Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein in Amyloid Clearance and Brain Health

A review on the relationship between vitamin D and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP-1) has revealed that the two may work together to possibly clear amyloid-beta (Aβ), whose deposition is considered linked to the progression of neurological dysfunction.

LRP-1 is a large receptor present on the body’s cells and is widely expressed, or present in several tissues. It’s a member of the LDL receptor family, which plays various different roles related to enzyme activation, the entry of bacterial toxins and viruses into cells and the metabolism of proteins that transport and combine with fats in the blood.

But LRP-1 has also been identified as a Aβ scavenger receptor that can remove Aβ from the brain through the blood-brain barrier. However, its expression is decreased in patients with neurological dysfunction.

This review points to recent evidence that after supplementation with the active form of vitamin D, 1,25 (OH)2D3, LRP1 expression increases significantly both in-vivo and in-vitro. This is because so many vitamin D receptors are expressed in the brain.

Friday, April 19, 2019

Is it better to get nutrients from food or supplements?

Researchers have found that nutrients from food may be linked to lower risks of death, while excess intake of certain supplements may have the opposite effect.

Taking supplements leads to an increased level of total nutrient intake. Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes. Suppliers sell them in different forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids. Common dietary supplements include calcium, fish oil, and vitamin D.

According to the 2018 consumer survey conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), consumer confidence in products and trust in the dietary supplement industry is strong among people in the U.S. The survey found that 75 percent of U.S. individuals take dietary supplements, as opposed to just 65 percent in 2009. "This year's data provide further evidence that dietary supplements are mainstays in modern day health and wellness regimens," explains Brian Wommack, the senior vice president of communications at the CRN. Vitamin and mineral supplements such as vitamin D and calcium remain the most popular types. However, the use of herbals and botanicals — especially turmeric — has significantly increased during the past 5 years.

The main reason that U.S. individuals take dietary supplements is overall health and wellness, according to the survey. Although many people use dietary supplements, a recent study found that multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C showed no advantage or added risk in the prevention of cardiovascular disease or premature death. However, folic acid alone and B vitamins with folic acid may reduce the risk of heart disease. The team, from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Medford, MA, conducted a study to evaluate the association between dietary supplement use and all-cause mortality. The researchers have published their results in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Mineral Water versus Tap Water


Mineral water comes from underground reservoirs. Unlike regular drinking water, mineral water does not undergo chemical processing. As the name suggests, mineral water contains high quantities of minerals, especially magnesium, calcium, and sodium. But is mineral water better than regular water, and what are its benefits?

This article discusses some possible health benefits associated with drinking mineral water.

All living organisms need water to survive. Not only does water support essential physical functions, it also provides vital nutrients that the body does not produce on its own. While most people in the United States have access to clean drinking water, many people choose bottled mineral water for its perceived purity and potential health benefits.
How does mineral water compare with regular water? Based on the current evidence, the differences are not very significant. The water in household taps comes either from surface or underground sources.

In the U.S., tap water must meet the Safe Drinking Water Act standards established by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These regulations limit the number of contaminants present in water supplied to homes. Public water suppliers move water from its source to treatment plants, where it undergoes chemical disinfection. The clean water ultimately gets delivered to households through a system of underground pipes.

Monday, April 15, 2019

How to Understand Your Lab Results

A laboratory (lab) test is a procedure in which a health care provider takes a sample of your blood, urine, other bodily fluid, or body tissue to get information about your health. Some lab tests are used to help diagnose, screen, or monitor a specific disease or condition. Other tests provide more general information about your organs and body systems. Lab tests play an important role in your health care. But they don't provide a complete picture of your health. Your provider will likely include a physical exam, health history, and other tests and procedures to help guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Lab tests are used in many different ways. Your health care provider may order one or more lab tests to:
Diagnose or rule out a specific disease or condition

Screen - A screening test can show if you are at a higher risk for getting a specific disease. It can also find out if you have a disease, even if you have no symptoms.

Monitor a disease and/or treatment - If you've already been diagnosed with a disease, lab tests can show if your condition is getting better or worse. It can also show if your treatment is working.
Check your overall health - Lab tests are often included in a routine checkup.

Lab results are often shown as a set of numbers known as a reference range. A reference range may also be called "normal values." You may see something like this on your results: "normal: 77-99mg/dL". Reference ranges are based on the normal test results of a large group of healthy people. The range helps show what a typical normal result looks like. But not everyone is typical. Sometimes, healthy people get results outside the reference range, while people with health problems can have results in the normal range. If your results fall outside the reference range, or if you have symptoms despite a normal result, you will likely need more testing. Your lab results may also include one of these terms:
  • Negative or normal, which means the disease or substance being tested was not found
  • Positive or abnormal, which means the disease or substance was found
  • Inconclusive or uncertain, which means there wasn't enough information in the results to diagnose or rule out a disease. If you get an inconclusive result, you will probably get more tests. Tests that measure various organs and systems often give results as reference ranges, while tests that diagnose or rule out diseases often use the terms listed above.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Metformin for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis


Clinical Question
How effective is metformin in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis?

Evidence-based Answer
Metformin does not seem to be an effective treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. There are no studies evaluating whether metformin improves long-term patient-oriented outcomes such as progression from NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or death from liver failure. Metformin does not improve anatomic outcomes (histologic or ultrasound features of the liver) or biochemical outcomes (alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST] levels, or insulin resistance) in adults. Metformin does not improve liver histologic or biochemical outcomes, or body mass index (BMI) in adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. (Strength of Recommendation: C, based on a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials [RCTs] evaluating laboratory parameters.) Similarly, metformin does not improve histologic or biochemical outcomes, or BMI in children and adolescents with NAFLD. (Strength of Recommendation: C, based on RCTs evaluating laboratory parameters.)

Evidence Summary
Adults With NAFLD
No studies have evaluated patient-oriented outcomes of metformin therapy for NAFLD or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. An RCT found no improvement in liver histology on biopsy.[1,2] Two placebo-controlled RCTs (N = 113) evaluating the effect of metformin (850 to 1,700 mg per day) on ALT and AST levels, insulin resistance, and BMI found no differences. One RCT (n = 48) found a small decrease in BMI. Another RCT (n = 2,153) found no improvement in ALT levels after treatment with metformin (850 mg twice per day) vs. placebo.[2]

Adults With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Two RCTs (N = 52) evaluating metformin (500 to 1,000 mg per day) in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis found that it did not improve liver histology, ALT and AST levels, BMI, or insulin resistance.[1,3]

Children With NAFLD
Two RCTs (N = 172) evaluating metformin (1,000 to 1,500 mg per day) vs. placebo in children with obesity and NAFLD found no improvement in liver histology on biopsy, ALT and AST levels, BMI, or insulin resistance.[4,5] A smaller RCT (n = 50; mean age: 15 years) found that metformin (850 mg twice per day) improved ultrasound scores for fatty liver but did not improve ALT and AST levels.[6]

Recommendations From Others
An evidence-based guideline from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Gastroenterological Association states that metformin has no significant effect on liver histology and is not recommended as a treatment for liver disease in adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.[7]

Monday, April 8, 2019

How Sugary Drinks Fuel Cancer

Researchers acknowledge that obesity increases the risk of cancer, and some studies even consider the existence of a causal relationship between this metabolic condition and cancer.

One important factor that can lead to obesity is the high intake of sugar through the frequent consumption of processed foods and sugary beverages. However, so far, there has been limited research looking at the effects of sugar on tumor growth independently of obesity.
Now, a team of specialists from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, NY has collaborated with colleagues from other research institutions to identify a clear link between sugary drinks and the accelerated growth of tumors in colorectal cancer.

In the new study, the results of which appeared yesterday in the journal Science, the research team studied the effects of high-fructose corn syrup in mouse models of colorectal cancer.

The team opted for a solution of 25-percent high-fructose corn syrup because this is the type of sweetener that manufacturers most commonly used as an ingredient in popular soft drinks.

"The current thought is that sugar is harmful to our health mainly because consuming too much can lead to obesity," explains co-author Jihye Yun, who is an assistant professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. "We know that obesity increases the risk of many types of cancer, including colorectal cancer; however, we were uncertain whether a direct and causal link existed between sugar consumption and cancer."

The team conducted the research in mice with early-stage colorectal cancer in which they deleted a gene called "Apc." This gene encodes a protein with the same name, and its deletion simulated a mutation that characterizes fast-growing colon cancer in humans. "More than 90 percent of colorectal cancer patients have this type of Apc mutation," the researcher points out.

In the first stage of the study, the researchers allowed the mice to drink the sugary beverage freely. As a result, the rodents put on a lot of weight within just 1 month.

To determine whether or not the corn syrup would boost cancer growth independently of obesity, the team then decided to administer the sugary drink in a way that would allow the mice to ingest it without putting on weight. So, the researchers gave the mice the sugary drink orally through a specially designed syringe once a day for 2 months.

Following this 2-month intervention, the investigators observed that the rodents had not put on too much weight, but they had indeed developed larger, more advanced tumors than the rodents who had only received water.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Continuing ARB Recalls Shake Up Hypertension, HF Care


Concerns over ongoing recalls of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are forcing physicians and patients to choose between optimal treatments and rattling confidence in the safety of the generic drug supply itself.

"I see hypertension on a regular basis and on any given clinic day, four to five patients have either stopped their medicines or have considered stopping their medicines and a separate detailed conversation has to be put in place to try to convince them to continue," Keith Ferdinand, MD, Tulane University Heart and Vascular Institute, New Orleans, told theheart.org | Medscape Cardiology.

ARBs are recommended for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, with more than 61 million prescriptions written for valsartan, losartan, and irbesartin in the United States in 2016, according to the federal ClinCalc DrugStats database.

Ongoing US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls — all in generic ARB-containing products — began last July when the probable carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was detected in the valsartan active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) supplied by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals (ZHP), Linhai, China.

Within months, the rolling recalls had extended to irbesartan- and losartan-containing products. A second probable carcinogen, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), was identified last fall and a third, N-nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA), only last month.

Monday, April 1, 2019

When to Consume Protein

We all need protein as part of a balanced diet and to stay healthy. Some people consume protein for specific reasons, such as to help them lose weight or gain muscle mass. However, it is not yet clear when the best time is to have that protein. There is some evidence that consuming protein can help a person lose weight, and there is clear evidence that it can help people build muscle mass if they also exercise. However, research, as yet, does not make it unclear when is the best time to have protein. It is also unclear if there is any best time at all, why this is the case, or whether it is the case for everyone.

Most people in the United States get enough protein in their diet. Still, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) say many people should vary the types of food containing protein that they eat. If a person is trying to build muscle mass, they may also take protein in the form of supplements to help them build muscle tissue after exercise.

There is some evidence that eating protein can help a person lose weight. Evidence suggests protein does this in part by increasing satiety. Satiety is the feeling of being full. Currently, there is little solid evidence regarding when the best time to eat protein might be to encourage weight loss. For example, researchers published a study in the journal Advances in Nutrition suggesting that eating snacks that contain protein may reduce the number of calories a person consumes at their next meal. However, the research paper also points out that studies demonstrating this are scarce and sometimes conflicting. They suggest more studies are needed to confirm their findings.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: The 'London Patient' New HIV Remission Raises Hope


A London man has not had detectable HIV in his system for 18 months, despite not having received treatment during that period. The remission came after the patient underwent a stem cell transplant. This makes him the second man in history — after the Berlin patient — to have achieved HIV remission after such a transplant. And that has raised questions about whether he might be cured of HIV.

"The Berlin patient was not an anomaly," Ravindra Gupta, MD, from University College London, and his team write in their report published online today in Nature. But it is unlikely that this will lead to widespread stem cell transplants for people infected with HIV, said Gupta It is only "a small step in the right direction," he told Medscape Medical News. "But with enough small steps, we can get where we need to be."

As well as HIV, both Berlin patient Timothy Brown and the new patient — referred to as the London patient — had acute cancers that called for a stem cell transplant, a painful and invasive treatment used after other treatments have failed. For Brown, it was leukemia. For the London patient, it was stage 4 Hodgins’s lymphoma, a non-AIDS-related cancer more common among people with HIV. Both patients also had stem cell donors with two genetic mutations that remove the CCR5 receptor from the surface of the CD4 T-cell. Without that receptor, most HIV strains can't gain access to the cell and can't spread, and — bingo — that's the end of HIV.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Lifestyle Changes Do a Number on PSA Values

Simple, temporary lifestyle changes may be able to spare men with mildly increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels from having to endure a prostate biopsy, results of a controlled study suggest.

Men who avoided eating spicy foods, drinking alcohol or coffee, and riding a bicycle had a repeat PSA reading approximately 1.5 ng/mL lower than their first reading a median of 8 weeks earlier.

Nearly half of men who adopted the lifestyle changes had a drop-in PSA below the minimum threshold for biopsy, reported Alexandre Zlotta, MD, director of Uro-Oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital and professor of surgery (urology) at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
In an interview with Medscape Medical News here at the European Association of Urology (EAU) 2019 Congress, Zlotta said that spicy food has something in common with alcohol, caffeine, and biking. "Spicy food induces inflammation, and inflammation directly translates into increase in PSA," he said.

Zlotta explained that repeat biopsy decisions are not based on a single PSA but that the new intervention might be a good idea before a repeat PSA test.

Friday, March 22, 2019

US adults do not consume enough protein, study warns

New research in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging reveals that older people in the United States do not consume enough protein. Insufficient protein is a marker of poor diet and health overall, the study also suggests.

With age, the human body loses muscle mass. Sarcopenia, or the age-related gradual loss of muscle function, can slash muscle strength by around 50 percent. Also, loss of muscle mass and strength can lead to poor overall quality of life and increase the risk of falls and fractures in older age. So, as we age, intake of protein becomes increasingly important. However, few adults consume as much protein as they should, for a variety of reasons.

Older people often lose their appetite with age, have lower energy needs, or sometimes eat less due to financial and social difficulties. However, researchers do not know precisely how much protein older adults consume, so a new study aimed to fill this gap in research. Christopher A. Taylor, Ph.D. — a registered dietitian and associate professor at the Ohio State
University in Columbus — is the last and corresponding author of the new study.

Taylor and his team examined data from the 2005–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate the protein intake of 11,680 adults aged 51 and above. The scientists looked at the link between protein intake, dietary patterns, and physical function in these older adults. They stratified the study sample, used the Healthy Eating Index to assess the quality of the adults' diet, and weighted the data analyses "to create a nationally representative sample."

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Omega-3s and NLRP3 Inflammasom Signaling in Human Obesity


In a recent study in the Journal of Endocrinology, the relationship between fish oil derived long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasomes in human obesity through downregulation of inflammasome gene expression in adipocytes and macrophages was investigated. The NRLP3 inflammasome serves as a critical link between adipose inflammation and insulin resistance. This placebo-controlled clinical trial lasted 8 weeks, using 4 grams of EPA/DHA or placebo.

Results showed that “treatment of obese human subjects with fish oil supplements reduced expression of adipose inflammatory genes including inflammasome-associated IL-18 and IL-
1β and circulating IL-18 levels. Both EPA and DHA reduced inflammasome gene expression in obese human adipose and human adipocyte and macrophages.”

This study highlights the importance of N-3 PUFAs in reducing NLRP3 inflammasome in human adipose tissue, and its relevance in helping support healthy inflammatory pathways as they related to obesity.

My Take:
This all sounds pretty technical, but basically fish oil reduces the inflammatory compounds that are produced in fat cells of the human body. These inflammatory compounds are linked to insulin resistance and ultimately diabetes.

Monday, March 18, 2019

Tramadol Linked to Higher Mortality Risk in Osteoarthritis

New tramadol use among patients with osteoarthritis is associated with increased mortality risk, an observational study in JAMA suggests. Some guidelines recommend tramadol, a weak opioid agonist, to manage osteoarthritis pain.

Using U.K electronic medical records, researchers matched patients with hip, knee, or hand osteoarthritis who began taking tramadol to those who began naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib, etoricoxib (not approved in U.S.), or codeine. Nearly 90,000 patients aged 50 and older were included.

Patients who started using tramadol had a higher mortality rate over the ensuing year than users of every other medication except codeine. For example, the mortality rate was 23.5 per 1000 person-years with tramadol versus 13.8 per 1000 with naproxen.
The authors caution that the findings "were susceptible to confounding by indication," given that tramadol users had greater comorbidity than NSAID users before propensity score matching.

My Take:
Some guidelines are recommending Tramadol as a replacement for Oxycodone in light of the skyrocketing death rate associated with its’ use. Tramadol is used in opioid agonist therapy (OAT), a treatment used to help addicts overcome opioid addiction. While it is an effective pain killer, it has addiction and overuse issues as well.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Napping may be as good as drugs for lowering blood pressure

A midday nap may be just what you need, not just to boost your energy levels but also to lower high blood pressure. This, at least, is what new research from Greece suggests.

A new study that investigators from the Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece conducted now suggests that taking a nap at midday can effectively help people lower their blood pressure levels.

In this study, the investigators worked with 212 participants who had a mean blood pressure of 129.9 mm Hg. The participants were, on average, 62 years old, and close to one in four of them smoked, had a diagnosis of type II diabetes, or both.

The team split the participants into two groups — one that practiced midday napping and one that did not take up this practice. Over 24 consecutive hours, the researchers took note of the participants' blood pressure measurements, the duration of their midday naps, their general lifestyle choices (such as alcohol consumption and physical activity), and their pulse wave velocity, which measures artery stiffness.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Alzheimer's: 'Holy herb' extracts shows promise as future treatment


Yerba santa, a plant with a long history of medicinal use in its native California, contains an active compound that could treat people with Alzheimer's disease one day. This was the conclusion that scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, CA came to after testing 400 plant extracts with known medicinal properties. Using a new drug-discovery screen, they tested the compounds for their ability to deter the effects of aging on the brain. The initial round of tests yielded several extracts that protected against a type of cell death that occurs in Alzheimer's and other aging-related diseases. Further tests revealed that sterubin, an extract of Eriodictyon californicum, or Yerba santa, was the most able to shield against inflammation and other triggers of brain cell death.

Native tribes of California have long valued Yerba santa, which is the Spanish for "holy herb," very highly as a medicine for respiratory illnesses, fever, infections, bruising, pain, and headaches.

According to a 2018 Alzheimer's Disease International report, dementia affects 50 million people worldwide, two-thirds of whom have Alzheimer's disease. In the U.S., the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease is set to rise from approximately 5.7 million people today to nearly 14 million by 2050.

Monday, March 11, 2019

Vitamin D and Brain Health

New research finds that vitamin D deficiency affects a type of brain "scaffolding" that supports the neurons. This finding could lead to new therapies for the neurological symptoms of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.

Vitamin D, which people sometimes refer to as the "sunshine vitamin," is necessary for maintaining healthy bones. It also benefits the immune and cardiovascular systems, as well as endocrine function. For instance, research has suggested that insufficient vitamin D may compromise the immune system, raise the risk of hypertension, and negatively affect insulin secretion in people with type 2 diabetes.

Newer studies have focused on the potential link between vitamin D and brain health. For example, a recent study that Medical News Today reported on reinforced the notion that there may be an association between vitamin D deficiency and a higher risk of schizophrenia.

Other studies have shown that depriving middle-aged rodents of vitamin D led them to develop brain damage and perform less well on cognitive tests. Researchers have also found that people who survive sudden cardiac arrest are less likely to recover brain function if they have low levels of vitamin D.

Friday, March 8, 2019

Blueberries May Reduce Cardiovascular Risk By 20 Percent

The phytochemicals that give blueberries their blue color can significantly improve cardiovascular health, finds a new two part study. Dubbed "the silent killer" because it has no visible symptoms in its early stages, hypertension affects approximately 1 in 3 adults in the United States.

The condition puts a strain on the cardiovascular system, which in the long run may contribute to heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that people with high blood pressure stay in control of the condition by eating healthfully, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.

But should you eat anything in particular to keep your arteries healthy? In a previous Spotlight feature, we rounded up 16 foods that studies have suggested can improve cardiovascular health. Along with broccoli, spinach, pulses, and fish, berries may also reduce heart disease, due to their antioxidant polyphenols.

New research zooms in on the cardiovascular effects of blueberries and finds that anthocyanins — the phytochemicals that give blueberries their color — mediate the beneficial effects that this fruit has on the cardiovascular system. The lead author of the study is Ana Rodriguez Mateos, Ph.D., from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at King's College London, in the United Kingdom. The researchers published their findings in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: DEXA


The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan uses two low-energy X-ray beams that separates the images into two components, including soft tissue and bone. When determining whether a person has low bone density or whether the condition is getting worse, a DEXA scan tends to be more accurate than a typical X-ray because it can detect even small changes in bone loss. Doctors also consider it more reliable than other methods of calculating body fat percentage, including underwater weighing. Scan results may indicate the severity of bone loss and help doctors determine a person's risk of developing a fracture. When assessing body composition, the results may also help determine a person's level of visceral fat, which the body stores around certain internal organs.

The most common purpose of a DEXA scan is to assess whether a person's bones are weak and or at risk of fracture. It also helps a doctor diagnose osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes the bones to lose density or become thin. When the bones get thin, they also become fragile, which makes them more susceptible to breaks. Determining whether a person has osteoporosis as early as possible is important to prevent the condition from becoming worse. It also reduces the risk of fractures. A DEXA scan is also a useful diagnostic tool to assess whether or not osteoporosis is getting worse. After the first DEXA scan, a doctor will usually order another scan in a couple of years to determine whether the bone density has changed.

Monday, March 4, 2019

Large Trials Cast Doubt on Low-Dose Aspirin's Benefits

Hello. I'm David Kerr, professor of cancer medicine at the University of Oxford. As many of you know—those who listen to my small rants on Medscape from time to time—I have been conducting a long-distance love affair with aspirin for some time in terms of its cancer-preventive properties.

I have to say that this love affair has been strained somewhat by the recent publication of two important pieces. One was published in the Lancet, written by Peter Rothwell and colleagues, and the other is a report of a combined Australian-US trial in the New England Journal of Medicine.

First, let's discuss Peter's study. Dr. Rothwell and his colleagues suggest that there is not a single dose of aspirin, a one-size fits-all dose, in terms of its cancer- or cardiovascular-preventive properties. They analyzed an enormous dataset from a large series of randomized trials, databases he has been successfully working on for some time. They investigated the benefits and disadvantages of aspirin according to height and weight, predominately weight. They found that the benefits of low-dose aspirin, 75-100 mg daily, in terms of cardiovascular prevention, were relatively confined to those who weigh less than 70 kg.

In the analyzed studies, the vast majority of men, 80% of whom were 70 kg or more, had no obvious benefits from aspirin at all. That's interesting. What was, for me, more worrisome was when they started to look at the disadvantages. They found that subjects taking low-dose aspirin who were under 70 kg had real possibility of harm—an increased incidence of early cancer. This is particularly pronounced in those patients who are more than 70 years old. They concluded that we should further explore the dose of aspirin. The clinical pharmacology of aspirin has been studied since the late 1960s. There is a relationship between pharmacokinetics, steady-state plasma concentrations, weight, and age. As we grow older, liver function deteriorates, and therefore we clear drugs less effectively. This could potentially underlie what is happening. We need more mechanistic work to understand this better.

Friday, March 1, 2019

Interval Training May Be Best for Weight Loss

Interval training may result in greater weight loss than continuous exercise, with sprint interval training (SIT) the most effective, say researchers, who say interval training also may be easier for obese and older individuals to perform.

The findings of Ricardo Borges Viana, MSc, a PhD student in the Faculty of Physical Education and Dance, Federal University of Goiás, Brazil, and colleagues were published online February 14 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Senior author Paulo Gentil, PhD, of the same institution, told Medscape Medical News that interval training "seems to promote many physiological changes that might favor long-term weight loss.

The team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and compared weight loss with interval training, including both high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and SIT with moderate-intensity continuous training (MOD).

After pooling results from over 1000 individuals, they found both interval training and MOD led to significant reductions in both total body fat percentage and total absolute fat mass.
However, interval training was associated with a reduction in total absolute fat mass that was more than 28% greater than that seen with MOD, with the greatest reductions seen with SIT.
Despite the positive results, the team cautions that "it is important to be aware of the possible risks and caveats associated with higher-intensity training."

For example, they warn that "it might increase the risk of injury and impose higher cardiovascular stress," and the potential discomfort associated with high-intensity training could affect adherence. They also highlight that the "methodological diversity" between protocols used in the studies "makes it difficult to generally recommend that one particular protocol is 'best' for modulating body adiposity."

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Fecal Immunochemical Tests


Performance Characteristics of Fecal Immunochemical Tests for Colorectal Cancer and Advanced Adenomatous Polyps: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose:
To summarize performance characteristics of FITs for CRC and advanced adenomas in average-risk persons undergoing screening colonoscopy (reference standard) and to identify factors affecting these characteristics.

Data Sources:
Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception through October 2018; reference lists of studies and reviews.

Study Selection:
Two reviewers independently screened records to identify published English-language prospective or retrospective observational studies that evaluated FIT sensitivity and specificity for colonoscopic findings in asymptomatic, average-risk adults.

Data Extraction:
Two authors independently extracted data and evaluated study quality.

Data Synthesis:
Thirty-one studies (120 255 participants; 18 FITs) were included; all were judged to have low to moderate risk of bias. Performance characteristics depended on the threshold for a positive result. A threshold of 10 µg/g resulted in sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.84 to 0.95) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.10 (CI, 0.06 to 0.19) for CRC, whereas a threshold of greater than 20 µg/g resulted in specificity of 0.95 (CI, 0.94 to 0.96) and a positive likelihood ratio of 15.49 (CI, 9.82 to 22.39). For advanced adenomas, sensitivity was 0.40 (CI, 0.33 to 0.47) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.67 (CI, 0.57 to 0.78) at 10 µg/g, and specificity was 0.95 (CI, 0.94 to 0.96) and the positive likelihood ratio was 5.86 (CI, 3.77 to 8.97) at greater than 20 µg/g. Studies had low to high heterogeneity, depending on the threshold. Although several FITs had adequate performance, sensitivity and specificity for CRC for 1 qualitative FIT were 0.90 and 0.91, respectively, at its single threshold of 10 µg/g; positive and negative likelihood ratios were 10.13 and 0.11, respectively. Comparison of 3 FITs at 3 thresholds was inconclusive: CIs overlapped, and the comparisons were across rather than within studies.

Limitations:
Only English-language studies were included. Incomplete reporting limited quality assessment of some evidence. Performance characteristics are for 1-time rather than serial testing.

Conclusion:
Single-application FITs have moderate to high sensitivity and specificity for CRC, depending on the positivity threshold. Sensitivity of 1-time testing for advanced adenomas is low, regardless of the threshold.

Primary Funding Source:
Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine.

My Take:
This is an abstract taken directly from the Annals of Internal Medicine, February 26, 2019. Typically I “dummy it down” a little, but I thought you might find the original abstract interesting. It’s a retrospective study using two independent authors as noted above. Please note how they not only present the data, but also the limitations prior to any conclusions. Finally, they also list the funding. In this case, it appears to be independent of bias.

Bottom Line:
Cologuard is the most popular trade name for this home test. It is available by prescription only but is covered by most insurance. Despite the limitation in testing for advanced adenomas, it is quite accurate in testing for colorectal cancer. I highly recommend you ask your primary care provider to add this test to your annual physical.

Monday, February 25, 2019

Colorectal Cancer: Scientists halt growth with cannabinoid compounds

Scientists have identified several cannabinoid compounds that could potentially treat colorectal cancer. A team at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey tested hundreds of cannabinoids on various types of human colorectal cancer cells in the laboratory. Of these, 10 synthetic cannabinoids showed the ability to stop cancer cell growth. The well-known cannabis compounds tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) showed negligible ability to do the same.

The researchers see their findings as a starting point for further studies to better understand the anticancer effects that they observed, and to evaluate the compounds' potential for drug development. They report their results in a paper that features in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. "Now that we've identified the compounds that we think have this activity," says senior study author Prof. Kent E. Vrana, who is chair of the Department of Pharmacology, "we can take these compounds and start trying to alter them to make them more potent against cancer cells." "And then, eventually, we can explore the potential for using these compounds to develop drugs for treating cancer," he adds.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, colorectal cancer is the "third most common cancer worldwide." This is also the case in the United States, where a national surveillance program has estimated that colorectal cancer accounted for 8.1 percent of all new cancer incidences in 2018.

For several decades, overall rates of colorectal cancer diagnoses and deaths have been falling steadily in the U.S. Experts attribute this largely to changes in risk factors, more widespread screening, and better treatments. However, this overall decline masks an opposite trend in that rates and deaths to colorectal cancer are rising among those of 50 years of age and under. The reasons for this remain unclear, although some suggest that obesity, changes in diet, and an increase in sedentary lifestyles may be involved.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Researchers Discover Almost 2,000 New Gut Bacteria

According to numerous recent studies, human gut bacterial populations are capable of influencing various aspects of our physical and mental health. Despite this, many bacteria remain "unmapped" by scientists. A new study has now uncovered approximately 2,000 previously unknown gut bacteria.

Recent studies covered by Medical News Today have shown that the gut microbiota could have a role in Parkinson's disease and dementia, and they may explain why type 2 diabetes medication works well for some but not for others.

New research — appearing yesterday in the journal Nature — has now identified almost 2,000 new gut bacterial species that scientists have never cultured in a lab before.

"In this study," Almeida explains, "we leveraged the most comprehensive public databases of gastrointestinal bacteria to identify bacterial species that have not been seen before. The analysis methods we used are highly reproducible and can be applied to larger, more diverse datasets in the future, enabling further discovery."

In the future, the researchers hope that this and similar studies will further aid their understanding of the human gut, which, in turn, will contribute to developing better treatments of a variety of conditions.

Research such as this is helping us create a so-called blueprint of the human gut, which, in the future, could help us understand human health and disease better and could even guide diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases."

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Zinc and Hypertension


New research links zinc deficiency to hypertension. Zinc is involved with hundreds of enzyme systems and has other health implications. Zinc has been shown to be beneficial for learning and cognition  and is also recommended for people with a genetic predisposition to heart disease. It may even mitigate certain degenerative effects of aging. Some research indicates zinc deficiency may be a component of dementia.

The link to zinc deficiency and hypertension has been shown in an earlier cohort study, and a new animal study suggests a possible mechanism. Zinc deficient mice were compared to those with normal zinc levels. The researchers found that the zinc deficient mice had decreased sodium excretion and, therefore, higher blood pressure when compared to healthy controls. Zinc deficiency increases blood pressure by causing an upregulation of sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) and a decrease in sodium excretion.

The researchers stated, “This study links dysregulated renal sodium handling to zinc deficiency induced hypertension. Furthermore, NCC is identified as a novel mechanism by which zinc regulates blood pressure. Understanding the mechanisms of zinc deficiency induced BP dysregulation may have important therapeutic impact on hypertension.”

My Take:
For years, what little attention to diet and hypertension has focused on limiting sodium intake. Unfortunately, conventional health care does not differentiate between organically bound sodium (think celery) and inorganic sodium (added to processed meats). The latter is associated with hypertension, not the former.

Monday, February 18, 2019

Just 8 weeks of Yoga Benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis

New research, published in the journal Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, finds that an 8-week regimen of intensive yoga eases both the physical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and the psychological distress that usually accompanies the condition.

Dr. Rima Dada, Ph.D., who is a professor in the Department of Anatomy at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, led the new research.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects approximately 1.3 million people in the United States. The disease is most likely autoimmune, which means that the immune system mistakes the body's own tissues and cartilage as foreign and attacks them. While there is no cure for RA, there are a variety of medications available. However, as Dr. Dada and her colleagues explain in their paper, recovery depends on various factors, some of which are psychological. Depression, for instance, often occurs alongside RA, and it can negatively affect a person's outcome.

In this context, Dr. Dada and team wondered if a yoga-based mind-body intervention could ease depressive symptoms in RA and help achieve remission of this chronic disease. To find out, Dr. Dada and colleagues examined the effects of practicing yoga intensively in 72 people with RA.

The scientists divided the study participants into two groups. Both groups continued to take disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which are the drugs doctors typically prescribe for this condition. Also, one group engaged in 120-minute sessions of yoga five times a week, for 8 weeks. The two main outcomes the researchers assessed were disease activity and depression severity. After the intervention, improvements in markers of neuroplasticity, inflammation, cellular health, and cellular aging — such as oxidative stress — showed that yoga had a positive effect on those who practiced it.

Dr. Dada and colleagues conclude, "Yoga, a mind-body intervention reestablished immunological tolerance by aiding remission at molecular and cellular level along with significant reduction in depression." "Thus in this inflammatory arthritis with a major psychosomatic component, yoga can be used as a complementary/adjunct therapy." The study's lead author reports, "Our findings show measurable improvements for the patients in the test group, suggesting an immune-regulatory role of yoga practice in the treatment of RA."

"An intensive yoga regimen," she continued, "concurrent with routine drug therapy induced molecular remission and re-established immunological tolerance. In addition, it reduced the severity of depression by promoting neuroplasticity."


Friday, February 15, 2019

PROBIOTICS MAY DIRECTLY AFFECT BREAST MILK CARBOHYDRATE COMPOSITION

New research has revealed a possible two-way connection between maternal dietary microbes and the makeup of the oligosaccharide sugar molecules found in human breast milk.

Until recently, it was thought that oligosaccharides affected the microbial communities within an infant’s gut, acting as prebiotics that then decreased their risk of certain infections, conditions and diseases. Studies showed that a woman’s genetics could determine the presence of between 23 and 130 oligosaccharides in her breast milk, and that the range of sugars was related to her blood type.

However, a new Finish study has shown that the probiotics that enter a woman’s digestive body orally may further affect her breast milk, changing which sugars occur within it. The study analyzed the breast milk 81 pregnant women, some of whom were administered probiotics, and others that were not, and found distinct oligosaccharide compositions in the milk of the two groups.

This study is important on a number of levels. It is the first time that a causal relationship has been discovered between friendly bacteria and human breast milk carbohydrate polymers. This breakthrough could have great consequences for infant as well as general human health.

Breast milk oligosaccharides play a key role in the healthy development of an infant’s immune system and directly affect the child’s ability to fight ill health. For example, some of the sugars in question have been associated many benefits, including a reduced incidence of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections and other immune-mediated and infectious diseases during the first few years of life, as well as the promotion of immune development and inflammatory response regulation.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Statins Lower Risk for CV Events in Elders, But Benefits for Primary Prevention Still in Question


Statin therapy lowers the risk for vascular events in adults over age 70, according to a meta-analysis in The Lancet. However, the benefit seems apparent only in those with a history of vascular disease.

Researchers examined data from 28 randomized trials that either compared statin use with nonuse or compared intensive statin regimens with standard treatment. Over 185,000 participants were included, of whom 15% were age 71–75 and 8% were older than 75.

During roughly 5 years' follow-up, statin use or intensive treatment was associated with a significant reduction in major vascular events across all age groups — overall, a 21% reduction in risk with each 1-mmol/L (39-mg/dL) decrease in LDL cholesterol. However, when stratified by history of vascular disease, a significant benefit among those aged 71 and older was limited to those with prior vascular disease.

My Take:
The full article is available online from The Lancet. These findings are strikingly similar to those found with aspirin – it’s best used for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease than for prevention.

Monday, February 11, 2019

Hip Arthroscopy Outperforms PT for Femoroacetabular Impingement

Arthroscopic surgery may be superior to physical therapy for patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), according to a U.K.-based study in The BMJ. FAI, which affects roughly one-fifth of the general population, is characterized by adverse morphology causing the femoral neck to impact against the acetabular rim; this predisposes patients to premature degeneration of the joint.

Over 200 adults with symptomatic, confirmed FAI were randomized to either physical therapy plus activity modification or arthroscopic surgery to remove the impinging femoral and acetabular bone. The primary outcome — a 100-point score on an activities of daily living measure at 8 months post-randomization — favored the surgery group by 10 points. Secondary outcomes, including sports and depression scores, also favored the surgery group.

The researchers caution: "Although arthroscopic hip surgery seems superior to physiotherapy and activity modification, patients must be informed of the potential risks and benefits of surgery, including the risk of no improvement. Up to a half of patients may not achieve a clinically important improvement after surgery; hence accurate patient selection is critical to optimizing treatment outcomes." They note, for example, that osteoarthritis may negatively affect the surgery's outcomes.

My Take:
The full article is available for free from The BMJ (The British Medical Journal) CLICK HERE.

Manipulation of the femoral head is an excellent alternative to the arthroscopic surgery and can be combined with physical therapy for much improved outcomes. Clinically, I find that manipulation will also provide good temporary relief for a torn labrum as well, but ultimately a labral tear will require surgery.

The conservative approach is to try manipulation and physical therapy for up to three months. If significant improvement is not achieved then arthroscopic surgery can be performed before osteoarthritis becomes a factor. Most surgeons agree that the window for successful surgery closes around six months after symptoms appear.

It is interesting to note that the results of this study on hip surgery are the opposite of similar studies on knee and shoulder surgery. Please review my blog “No Surgery for Subacromial Pain Syndrome” posted last Friday. Outcomes for hip surgery traditionally are better than surgery on the knee or shoulder. Just look at the recovery times for people you know having a hip replacement versus those having a knee replacement.

Bottom Line:
Whenever possible take the conservative route first to rehabilitate a joint rather than operate. In the worst case scenario, the rehabilitation prior to surgery will improve outcomes even if the therapy fails and surgery is still required. Obviously, the better outcome is to avoid the surgery altogether.


Source: February 12, 2019 New England Journal of Medicine

Friday, February 8, 2019

No Surgery for Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Subacromial decompression surgery should not be offered to patients with subacromial pain syndrome, according to a new guideline from The BMJ's Rapid Recommendations panel. The guidance — considered a strong recommendation — applies to patients with atraumatic shoulder pain, including rotator cuff disease, lasting longer than 3 months.

The recommendation was based on findings from seven randomized trials among roughly 1000 patients that compared decompression surgery with either sham surgery or exercise alone. Overall, decompression surgery did not provide a meaningful benefit over nonsurgical treatment in terms of pain, function, or quality-of-life. However, surgery was associated with more cases of frozen shoulder (12 more cases per 1000 patients undergoing surgery) and could cause more serious adverse events like major bleeding.

The panel, which included patients, clinicians, and researchers, concluded: "Almost all informed patients would choose to avoid surgery.... However, there is substantial uncertainty in what alternative treatment is best."

My Take:
The full article is available for free online from the New England Journal of Medicine.

Atraumatic shoulder pain can mean an insidious onset or from a chronic injury (more than six months, but often several years old). Much like the recent recommendations on knee surgery, shoulder decompression surgery should be reserved for acute injuries.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Heavy Metals Found in Popular Fruit Juices



Nearly half of 45 fruit juices tested had elevated levels of heavy metals, which can pose health risks for children and adults, Consumer Reports has found.

The report, released Wednesday, says that even small amounts of juice might hold risks.
"In some cases, drinking just 4 ounces a day — or half a cup — is enough to raise concern," James Dickerson, PhD, chief scientific officer for CR, says in the report.

If anything, the results simply reinforce existing concerns about fruit juices. "I don't think we need to say you can't give your kids any juice," says Steven Abrams, MD, a professor of pediatrics at Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin. But, he says, "juice is not a product that is intrinsically healthy for children." He coauthored the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines on juice, which set limits by age. Meanwhile, juice producers say the report needlessly alarms consumers.

Consumer Reports experts tested 45 juices made by 24 brands, including well-known and lesser-known brands such as Gerber, Minute Maid, Mott's, Great Value from Walmart, Clover Valley from Dollar General, and Big Win from Rite Aid. Those tested included organic products, too, as well as store brands from Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

They focused on levels of cadmium, lead, mercury, and inorganic arsenic, saying that these elements pose some of the greatest risks and that research has found they are common in food and drink. The juices tested were apple, fruit blends, grape, and pear.

The new testing was done as a follow-up to a study in 2011, when CR found elevated levels of inorganic arsenic and lead in apple and grape juices. The new evaluation was done to see if there's been improvement, to test other juices, and to test for other heavy metals.

Overall, CR says, heavy metal levels in fruit juices have declined since their last testing. But in the new report, every juice contained at least one of the four metals tested, and 47%, or 21, had concerning levels of cadmium, inorganic arsenic, and/or lead. None had concerning levels of mercury. Other major conclusions: Seven of the 21 had enough heavy metals to potentially harm children who drink a half-cup or more a day, and nine of the 21 held risks for kids drinking a cup or more a day. Ten of the juices posed a risk to adults, too: Five were potentially hazardous at a half-cup or more a day, and five at a cup or more a day. The highest heavy metal levels were in grape juice and juice blends. Organic juices did not have lower heavy metal levels than non-organic.

Monday, February 4, 2019

Antibiotics disrupt gut bacteria, impact bone health

A new study about the side effects of antibiotic treatment reveals that it may dysregulate post pubertal skeletal development by interfering with gut bacteria.

The trillions of bacteria living in our bodies are crucial for our health. They support the gastrointestinal and immune systems. They also help the body absorb nutrients from foods and supplements. People often call the "good" bacteria within us "commensal," because they live together in harmony without causing any harm. However, we often treat the "bad" microbes that cause disease using antibiotics.

Some researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston specialize in osteoimmunology, the "interface of the skeletal and immune systems." The scientists analyzed the impact of antibiotics on post pubertal skeletal development and published their results in The American Journal of Pathology. The study demonstrated that antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiota causes a proinflammatory response that may lead to less bone resorption, a process by which osteoclasts, or large bone cells, release the minerals and transfer them to the blood.

According to Chad M. Novince, Ph.D. — who studies the link between microbiome and skeletal health — the study "introduces antibiotics as a critical exogenous modulator of gut microbiota osteoimmune response during post pubertal skeletal development."

The post pubertal phase of development supports the accumulation of about 40 percent of peak bone mass. Previous research by Novince and team had already shown that the gut
microbiota contributes to skeletal health.

Friday, February 1, 2019

Don’t Succumb to the Common Cold

The winter season may be a time of comfort: a slower pace, inner focus, and reflection, but it is also the time of year that many people will battle against cold and flu season. The viruses that cause cold and flu symptoms, technically respiratory infections, reliably spring to life between November and March in the Northern Hemisphere, with most American adults getting an average of between two to four colds per year. 

While being exposed to cold winter weather won’t necessarily mean you’ll “catch a cold,” transmission rates are highest in cold, dry air. Cold and flu viruses thrive when the temperatures plunge. Research suggests that these viruses are most virulent at temperatures near 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, and they do not transmit at all at temperatures around 85 degrees. This may be due to the virus’ outer lipid membrane, which is fortified by cold weather, forming a rubbery gel-like consistency that enables the virus to survive longer outside a host. Once the virus enters the respiratory tract, the outer membrane melts, and the virus is able to infect host cells and replicate.

However, in warmer temperatures, that membrane is more likely to have a liquidly consistency, effectively weakening the virus so that it loses the ability to spread readily between hosts. 

Luckily, there are many ways to reduce the risk for the common cold and flu, as well as strategies to shorten the duration and lessen the severity of any cold or flu infection that does take hold. Time-honored lifestyle strategies that help keep the immune system robust and resilient include: Eating a healthful diet that includes a wide variety of colorful fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices to help bolster the immune system, getting adequate sleep, exercising daily, managing stress, maintaining healthy vitamin D levels, washing hands often and supplementing with appropriate vitamins, herbs, and other medicinal plants.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Wisdom Wednesday: Gut Microbiota and the Neuroendocrine System


The gut-brain axis is undeniable, but specific mechanisms of influence continue to be investigated. Specifically, the gut microbiota is now considered the body’s major neuroendocrine system, controlling body processes including the stress response and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Back in the early 20th century, Nobel laureate, Ilya Metchnikoff, observed that the growth of cholera could be reduced by some microbes and enhanced by others. He proposed that commensal bacteria within the intestine could contribute to protection against this pathogen and alteration of the gut bacteria could prevent disease. In 2001, Nobel Prize winner Joshua Lederberg coined the term “microbiome”. The microbiome is the “ecological community of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms” that can be found on mucosal surfaces, including the eye, mouth, lungs, and the gut. Recent research reviews the connection between the microbiota and the neuroendocrine system.

The article is a review of the literature showing the connection of the microbiome to remyelination, microglia function, diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), recovery from spinal cord injury and even behavior. The article cites research that links MS with intestinal permeability. Other research shows a link between the microbiome and pediatric MS, suggesting a connection between myelin production and metabolites produced by gut microbes (particularly p-cresol). Short chain fatty acids from the bowel flora (especially butyrate) affect remyelination, microglia function, and also oligodendrocyte differentiation. In the autoimmune disease, neuromyelitis optica, research shows there may be a connection to bowel ecology. Another study showed the connection between CNS inflammation and the gut microbiome in mice.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Quercetin

Quercetin is a pigment found in many plants, fruits, and vegetables. It may have some health benefits and help prevent a range of conditions. People can get quercetin through a balanced diet or by taking a supplement. Quercetin is a flavonol, which is a sub-category of flavonoids. Flavonoids are a particular chemical in plants, called phytonutrients, and have a wide range of health benefits. Humans cannot make quercetin in their body, but many fruits, vegetables, and drinks contain it. Foods and drinks that contain quercetin include: grapes, berries, cherries, apples, citrus fruits, onions, buckwheat, broccoli, kale, tomatoes, red wine and black tea.

Quercetin is also present in herbal remedies, such as ginkgo biloba and St John's wort. People can also take quercetin as a supplement. Quercetin is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta carotene. Quercetin might help reduce inflammation. One study on animals found that quercetin prevented both acute and chronic inflammation, in addition to showing anti-arthritis properties. Quercetin may contain anticancer properties that might help prevent the spread of cancerous cells and tumor growth. Quercetin may help to prevent neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson’s disease.

Research suggests that quercetin might be an effective antihistamine, as it restricts histamine from being released from cells. These anti-allergy properties indicate that quercetin might help treat bronchitis and asthma. Quercetin has antibacterial properties, which are effective against almost all types of bacteria. Quercetin may improve blood vessel cell health and blood flow through arteries in people with heart disease. According to a 2016 study by the American Heart and Stroke Association, taking quercetin supplements could be an effective way to reduce blood pressure.