Comments for iHealthBulletin News http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog Health, wellness, and nutrition news to advance integrative medicine. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:14:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Excess cortisol from chronic stress speeds aging, shortens telomeres by Sciencehome » Blog Archive » telomeres http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008/07/16/excess-cortisol-from-chronic-stress-speeds-aging-shortens-telomeres/#comment-89448 Sciencehome » Blog Archive » telomeres Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:56:16 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008/07/16/excess-cortisol-from-chronic-stress-speeds-aging-shortens-telomeres/#comment-89448 [...] Excess cortisol from chronic stress speeds aging, shortens telomeres… stunning your immune system at the cellular level, by inhibiting the cells youth enzyme, telomerase. Every cell contains a tiny clock called a telomere, which shortens each time the cell divides. Short telomeres are linked to a [. … [...] [...] Excess cortisol from chronic stress speeds aging, shortens telomeres… stunning your immune system at the cellular level, by inhibiting the cells youth enzyme, telomerase. Every cell contains a tiny clock called a telomere, which shortens each time the cell divides. Short telomeres are linked to a [. … [...]

]]> Comment on Thiazolidinediones may block inflammatory link between abdominal obesity and heart disease by Doctor Z http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008/01/21/thiazolidinediones-may-block-inflammatory-link-between-abdominal-obesity-and-heart-disease/#comment-65747 Doctor Z Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:23:18 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008/01/21/thiazolidinediones-may-block-inflammatory-link-between-abdominal-obesity-and-heart-disease/#comment-65747 Thanks Pete, for pointing this out. Well, we really need more data to answer this definitively, but a couple of points are worth noting. 1) The above study was done only with mice (but it clearly shows one of the possible mechanisms of benefits). Human reaction to the drug could be different enough. 2) The post to which your comment links said that "these increased risks for humans associated with TZD use appeared limited to rosiglitazone," but the mice study above used pioglitazone. So it is possible that the bad effects in humans will be specific to rosiglitazone and not pioglitazone. 3) While the TZD drugs might be helping to curb the inflammatory mechanism of atherosclerosis, one (or several?) of the drugs might be toxic to heart function in a different way that causes heart muscle failure or arrhythmias. Congestive heart failure strains the heart muscle, which can make any limitations in coronary blood flow more apparent (as in angina or infarction). We see a similar problem with statins, which can help many patients but also inhibit the body's synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 (not good!). Thanks Pete, for pointing this out.

Well, we really need more data to answer this definitively, but a couple of points are worth noting.
1) The above study was done only with mice (but it clearly shows one of the possible mechanisms of benefits). Human reaction to the drug could be different enough.
2) The post to which your comment links said that “these increased risks for humans associated with TZD use appeared limited to rosiglitazone,” but the mice study above used pioglitazone. So it is possible that the bad effects in humans will be specific to rosiglitazone and not pioglitazone.
3) While the TZD drugs might be helping to curb the inflammatory mechanism of atherosclerosis, one (or several?) of the drugs might be toxic to heart function in a different way that causes heart muscle failure or arrhythmias. Congestive heart failure strains the heart muscle, which can make any limitations in coronary blood flow more apparent (as in angina or infarction). We see a similar problem with statins, which can help many patients but also inhibit the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 (not good!).

]]> Comment on Thiazolidinediones may block inflammatory link between abdominal obesity and heart disease by telogy http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008/01/21/thiazolidinediones-may-block-inflammatory-link-between-abdominal-obesity-and-heart-disease/#comment-64863 telogy Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:55:34 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2008/01/21/thiazolidinediones-may-block-inflammatory-link-between-abdominal-obesity-and-heart-disease/#comment-64863 Dr Z, There appears to be a contradiction between this report, and: http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/12/12/thiazolidinedione-medications-for-diabetes-increase-risk-of-heart-attack-death Can you please clarify Thanks, Pete Dr Z,

There appears to be a contradiction between this report, and: http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/12/12/thiazolidinedione-medications-for-diabetes-increase-risk-of-heart-attack-death

Can you please clarify

Thanks,

Pete

]]> Comment on Nalmefene reduces heavy alcohol drinking by Another drug in the arsenal? - My Way Out Forums http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/07/07/nalmefene-reduces-heavy-alcohol-drinking/#comment-64119 Another drug in the arsenal? - My Way Out Forums Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:10:07 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/07/07/nalmefene-reduces-heavy-alcohol-drinking/#comment-64119 [...] Another drug in the arsenal? FYI -- this isn't approved yet, but may be soon Nalmefene reduces heavy alcohol drinking at iHealthBulletin News [...] [...] Another drug in the arsenal? FYI — this isn’t approved yet, but may be soon Nalmefene reduces heavy alcohol drinking at iHealthBulletin News [...]

]]> Comment on Anti-aging benefits of vitamin D? by Ted Hutchinson http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/11/11/anti-aging-benefits-of-vitamin-d/#comment-35610 Ted Hutchinson Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:26:24 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/11/11/anti-aging-benefits-of-vitamin-d/#comment-35610 While Milk may be one of the few food sources in the American diet of vitamin D, people should be aware that Ergocalciferol Vitamin D2 may be used to fortify it. The Case Against Ergocalciferol as a vitamin supplement explains the research showing it is only 25%-30% as effective as d3 Cholecalciferol. 100iu of D2= 25-30IU D3 and it is in the form D3 that the body uses it. Added to this many older people simple do not absorb or utilise D2. They may take it at high level but it makes no difference to their vitamin D3 status. We should also understand that our bodies uses between 3000 and 5000iu of Vit D3 daily so even if one ate every possible dietary source of vitamin d one would still be vitamin d insufficient as that can only account for 10% of our daily need. Regular SHORT sun exposure is the best most natural way of obtaining vitamin d. In the Winter if your shadow is longer than your height UVB will not be reaching the ground so an EFFECTIVE amount of vitamin d will be needed. "The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective" details the reasons for increased intake. "The case against ergocalciferol as a vitamin supplement" explains why D2 should not be used. "Risk Assessment for vitamin d" explains the safety of up to 10,000iu/daily. While Milk may be one of the few food sources in the American diet of vitamin D, people should be aware that Ergocalciferol Vitamin D2 may be used to fortify it. The Case Against Ergocalciferol as a vitamin supplement explains the research showing it is only 25%-30% as effective as d3 Cholecalciferol. 100iu of D2= 25-30IU D3 and it is in the form D3 that the body uses it.
Added to this many older people simple do not absorb or utilise D2. They may take it at high level but it makes no difference to their vitamin D3 status.
We should also understand that our bodies uses between 3000 and 5000iu of Vit D3 daily so even if one ate every possible dietary source of vitamin d one would still be vitamin d insufficient as that can only account for 10% of our daily need.
Regular SHORT sun exposure is the best most natural way of obtaining vitamin d. In the Winter if your shadow is longer than your height UVB will not be reaching the ground so an EFFECTIVE amount of vitamin d will be needed.
“The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective” details the reasons for increased intake.
“The case against ergocalciferol as a vitamin supplement” explains why D2 should not be used.
“Risk Assessment for vitamin d” explains the safety of up to 10,000iu/daily.

]]> Comment on Allergy relief from intranasal carbon dioxide by Allergy relief from intranasal carbon dioxide http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/10/29/allergy-relief-from-intranasal-carbon-dioxide/#comment-32113 Allergy relief from intranasal carbon dioxide Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:23:19 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/10/29/allergy-relief-from-intranasal-carbon-dioxide/#comment-32113 [...] “These findings indicate that noninhaled, intranasal carbon dioxide is very promising as a safe and effective treatment to provide rapid relief for seasonal allergic rhinitis. With the exception of a burning/stinging sensation when the carbon dioxide is first administered, there appears to be no significant side effects with this technique.  Click Here To Read [...] [...] “These findings indicate that noninhaled, intranasal carbon dioxide is very promising as a safe and effective treatment to provide rapid relief for seasonal allergic rhinitis. With the exception of a burning/stinging sensation when the carbon dioxide is first administered, there appears to be no significant side effects with this technique.  Click Here To Read [...]

]]> Comment on Fatty meals and vitamin C do not mix safely by lullabyman http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/09/03/fatty-meals-and-vitamin-c-do-not-mix-safely/#comment-5235 lullabyman Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:31:27 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/09/03/fatty-meals-and-vitamin-c-do-not-mix-safely/#comment-5235 Good points Doctor Z. Despite being a huge of a fan of Vitamin C (it's changed my life), it's clear to me that the vitamin C based diet should be done carefully - as is also evidenced in the production of benzene with sodas that contain sodium benzoate. Hopefully people with cut out soda pop and fats rather than stop taking a valuable antioxidant. Traditionally the recommendation has been to limit the Vitamin C intake (For example all soda pops with sodium benzoate removed the ascorbic acid instead of using other preservatives that didn't have harmful interactions). It would be useful to know the pharmacokinetics of gut produced nitrosamines - I don't know if much study has been done on that. It would also be useful to know how long one should wait after consuming certain foods before they can consume vitamin C. Good points Doctor Z. Despite being a huge of a fan of Vitamin C (it’s changed my life), it’s clear to me that the vitamin C based diet should be done carefully - as is also evidenced in the production of benzene with sodas that contain sodium benzoate. Hopefully people with cut out soda pop and fats rather than stop taking a valuable antioxidant. Traditionally the recommendation has been to limit the Vitamin C intake (For example all soda pops with sodium benzoate removed the ascorbic acid instead of using other preservatives that didn’t have harmful interactions).

It would be useful to know the pharmacokinetics of gut produced nitrosamines - I don’t know if much study has been done on that. It would also be useful to know how long one should wait after consuming certain foods before they can consume vitamin C.

]]> Comment on Fatty meals and vitamin C do not mix safely by Doctor Z http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/09/03/fatty-meals-and-vitamin-c-do-not-mix-safely/#comment-5210 Doctor Z Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:46:53 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/09/03/fatty-meals-and-vitamin-c-do-not-mix-safely/#comment-5210 Thank you for the above reference. I am a big fan of LPI - it's a great, well-balanced resource. However, I do not see these two studies as in conflict, because the chemistry of each study is very different. The post above refers to nitrosamine production in the highly acidic conditions of the stomach, while the LPI page is referring to aldehyde production and metabolism in the blood or blood vessel walls (or in test tube experiments similar to serum). So, if both studies are correct, one could minimize nitrosamine production and maximize cardiovascular benefit by consuming vitamin C supplements in between fatty meals. Serum blood concentrations of vitamin C remain elevated after supplementation for several hours. By the way, it seems that certain people might not get an overall benefit from higher dose vitamin C - for example, one study indicates that diabetics who have trouble keeping their sugars or Hgb A1C down might have increased glycation from extra vitamin C (500 mg or more per day). These people may want to look at optimizing other antioxidants that support vitamin C function, such as R-alpha-lipoic acid. Just some thoughts . . . Dr. Z. Thank you for the above reference. I am a big fan of LPI - it’s a great, well-balanced resource. However, I do not see these two studies as in conflict, because the chemistry of each study is very different. The post above refers to nitrosamine production in the highly acidic conditions of the stomach, while the LPI page is referring to aldehyde production and metabolism in the blood or blood vessel walls (or in test tube experiments similar to serum). So, if both studies are correct, one could minimize nitrosamine production and maximize cardiovascular benefit by consuming vitamin C supplements in between fatty meals. Serum blood concentrations of vitamin C remain elevated after supplementation for several hours. By the way, it seems that certain people might not get an overall benefit from higher dose vitamin C - for example, one study indicates that diabetics who have trouble keeping their sugars or Hgb A1C down might have increased glycation from extra vitamin C (500 mg or more per day). These people may want to look at optimizing other antioxidants that support vitamin C function, such as R-alpha-lipoic acid. Just some thoughts . . . Dr. Z.

]]> Comment on Fatty meals and vitamin C do not mix safely by lullabyman http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/09/03/fatty-meals-and-vitamin-c-do-not-mix-safely/#comment-5090 lullabyman Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:10:13 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/09/03/fatty-meals-and-vitamin-c-do-not-mix-safely/#comment-5090 This study is in direct conflict with a study from 2001: "VITAMIN C DETOXIFIES OXIDIZED FAT" http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/ss05/oxidizedfat.html Summary: A study published in 2001 on reactions between vitamin C and lipid hydroperoxides, or rancid fat, caused concern that vitamin C might help generate DNA-damaging compounds from these lipid hydroperoxides, thereby increasing the risk of cancer. We discovered that, on the contrary, vitamin C reacts with breakdown products of rancid fats in the body to form harmless conjugates. This may help explain how vitamin C actually protects against DNA damage and cancer. This study is in direct conflict with a study from 2001:

“VITAMIN C DETOXIFIES OXIDIZED FAT”
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/ss05/oxidizedfat.html

Summary: A study published in 2001 on reactions between vitamin C and lipid hydroperoxides, or rancid fat, caused concern that vitamin C might help generate DNA-damaging compounds from these lipid hydroperoxides, thereby increasing the risk of cancer. We discovered that, on the contrary, vitamin C reacts with breakdown products of rancid fats in the body to form harmless conjugates. This may help explain how vitamin C actually protects against DNA damage and cancer.

]]> Comment on Just one cigarette can get a child addicted by Doctor Z http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/07/03/just-one-cigarette-can-get-a-child-addicted/#comment-2877 Doctor Z Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:33:38 +0000 http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2007/07/03/just-one-cigarette-can-get-a-child-addicted/#comment-2877 Our feed is already in the Feedburner system. We have a link to our Feedburner feed just underneath the translation buttons in the top right corner. Our feed is already in the Feedburner system. We have a link to our Feedburner feed just underneath the translation buttons in the top right corner.

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