Health in the News
At risk for TB? Get Hookworms
In countries where the population is at a high risk for tuberculosis, a vaccine is given called BCG (Bacille Calmette–Guerin). The response to this vaccine was found to be higher in infants whose mothers had untreated hookworm during their pregnancies.
Elliott AM, Namujju PB, Mawa PA, Quigley MA, Nampijja M, Nkurunziza PM, Belisle JT, Muwanga M, Whitworth JAG, the “Mother and Baby” study team. (2005, December 21). A randomised controlled trial of the effects of albendazole in pregnancy on maternal responses to mycobacterial antigens and infant responses to bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) immunization. BMC Infectious Diseases, 5:115. Retrieved January 19, 2006, from www.biomedcentral.com/1471–2334/5/115.
Fasting and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Many alternative practitioners have advocated fasting for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In a study designed to assess the effect on stool flora of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia from extended fasting versus a Mediterranean diet, the fasting individuals with RA were found to have greater clinical improvement. Stool bacteria counts were unchanged in all groups.
Michalsen A, Riegert M, Lüdtke R, Bäcker M, Langhorst J, Schwickert M, Dobos GJ. (2005, December 22). Mediterranean diet or extended fasting’s influence on changing the intestinal microflora, immunoglobulin A secretion and clinical outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia: an observational study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 5:22. Retrieved January 19, 2006, from www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/5/22.
Women Should Sleep and Socialize for Immune Health
In a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Elliot Friedman reported that women who socialize and sleep well lower their levels of IL6 (interleukin 6), which has been linked with multiple diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to cancer.
Friedman, Elliot. (2005, December 20). Social relationships, sleep quality, and interleukin–6 in aging women. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 102(51), 18757–18762.
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Some Folks Feel Blue, Some See Blue
Self–hypnosis has been taught at SUNY Upstate Medical University for pulmonary problems such as cystic fibrosis. Some individuals reported seeing blue when practicing self–hypnosis. These individuals were found to have lower blood pressure and increased blood flow. Studies have also shown that color perception can be altered with imagery techniques.
Anbar RD, Savedoff AD. (2005, December 1). Hypnosis–associated blue-tinted vision: a case report. BMC Ophthalmology, 5:28. Retrieved January 19, 2006, from www.biomedcentral.com/1471–2415/5/28.
Breast Health–Another Strike against HRT
Receiving a call that you need to see your doctor about an abnormal mammogram is frightening. A large UK study found that women who had been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause or were currently taking HRT have an increased rate of false positive mammograms. This is caused by an increase in density of breast tissue from the hormone replacement therapy.
Banks E, Reeves G, Beral V, Bull D, Crossley B, Simmonds M, Hilton E, Bailey S, Barrett N, Briers P, English R, Jackson A, Kutt E, Lavelle J, Rockall L, Wallis MG, Wilson M, Patnick J. (2005, December 23). Hormone replacement therapy and false positive recall in the Million Women Study: patterns of use, hormonal constituents and consistency of effect. Breast Cancer Research 2005, 8:R8. Retrieved January 19, 2006, from breast-cancer-research.com/content/8/1/R8.
Glucosamine–Not Just for Joints
In mice studies, glucosamine, by increasing heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), reduces the risk of inflammation in blood vessels that leads to atherosclerosis. Studies have also found that insulin resistance is not decreased with the doses of glucosamine that individuals use as supplementation for osteoarthritis. So, glucosamine sulfate has promise for the individual who has diabetes and osteoarthritis.
Duan W, Paka L, Pillarisetti S. (2005, October 5). Distinct effects of glucose and glucosamine on vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells: Evidence for a protective role for glucosamine in atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular Diabetology 2005, 4:16 Retrieved January 19, 2006, from www.cardiab.com/content/4/1/16.
Soy Precautions
Supplementing a diet with soy is a complex issue. A recent case report reported that a woman developed extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) when consuming vitamin C and soy isoflavones. She had no history of high blood pressure and was not taking any over the counter or prescription medications.
Hutchins AM, McIver IE, Johnston CS. (2005, June 23). Hypertensive crisis associated with high dose soy isoflavone supplementation in a post–menopausal woman: A case report. BMC Women’s Health, 5:9. Retrieved January 19, 2006, from www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6874/5/9.
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