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Month: August 2015

More asthma research yields hopeful new controls

More asthma research yields hopeful new controls

For quite some time it has been known that calcium plays a major role in muscle contraction. A number of calcium-altering medicines are used to help heart problems and hypertension by relaxing the smooth muscle found in the heart and arteries. Now there may be an application to asthma.

Smooth muscle is also found in our bronchial tubes; constriction of this muscle that occurs through proteins called calcium-sensing receptors causes asthma.

A recent British study examined the use of a class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis called calcilytics. These drugs were administered to asthmatic mice with dramatic results: the drugs blocked the action of calcium-sensing receptors and thus, prevented the smooth muscle constriction.

The scientists are now starting human studies. This research is very compelling as it offers a mechanism to control asthma that has never before been available.

Zithromax new hero in infant RSV?

Zithromax new hero in infant RSV?

The major cause of bronchiolitis in infants, and not infrequently the major cause of subsequent chronic asthma in these children, has been the topic of recent exciting research at Washington University.

The culprit – RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) – seems to succeed because is elicits such a strong inflammatory response in the airways of its tiny victims that they never fully recover.

In the past efforts have been made to try to reduce this inflammation by the use of both inhaled and systemic steroids; however, neither of these have been of any benefit.

Because the antibiotic Zithromax is known to reduce inflammation in adults with COPD and bronchiecstasis, the Washington University researchers decided to try it in RSV. Their study compared the use of Zithromax to placebo in infants with RSV. The outcome was dramatic. The children who received the Zithromax were more than 50 percent less likely to develop chronic asthma than the control group.

This correlated with the fact that the Zithromax group had much lower levels of inflammation in laboratory tests than the control group.

Milk — Aged wisdom for modern dilemma

Milk — Aged wisdom for modern dilemma

Dear Dr. K: My chiropractor told me too much milk might actually weaken my bones. I’ve always heard milk is good for teeth and bones. Could he be right?

Actually, he is right. The whole cow milk and health issue has a convoluted history. It dates back to the Great Depression when many Americans were starving and rickets was common. The Federal government stepped in and subsidized the dairy farmers so that milk could be both available and cheap. It also mandated the addition of vitamin D to the milk.

The inexpensive milk allowed Americans to have a ready source of calories, protein and vitamin D which was a true Godsend.

In today’s world, most Americans are not starving and so what was of help in one context has gradually become too much of a good thing.

It’s true that cow milk is a rich source of calcium, but it also contains certain peptides and lectins that actually bind to and remove our existing calcium. If milk intake is high it actually leads to a net reduction in total body calcium.

Last year the British Medical Journal published a 20-year study of 100,000 people. They found a significantly higher risk of fractures in people who drank three or more glasses of milk a day, compared to those whose intake was less.

Studies on Asian-Americans and African-Americans show that their bone density was not as good on the cow-milk rich American diet as their ethnic counterparts living in Asia/Africa, and not consuming so much cow milk.

Cow milk is also the most common cause of food allergy. Also, even in people who are not allergic to milk, it tends to increase nasal and bronchial mucus production.

Finally, cow milk contains D-galactose which induces inflammation in the body. D-galactose has been shown to worsen some forms of arthritis, and to contribute to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

So, the old, familiar maxim probably applies here: “Everything in moderation.”

Mucky mucus: Lots of fluids and understanding mechanism helps

Mucky mucus: Lots of fluids and understanding mechanism helps

Feeling stuffed up? Achy around the eyes? Talking funny? Getting up close and personal with the mechanics of your respiratory system can enlighten – and offer fight-back tactics.

Our respiratory system (nose, sinuses and lungs) is lined with a membrane technically described as mucociliary columnar epithelium. The mucociliary part refers to the fact that there are abundant mucus glands, and the top of the cells have little hairs called cilia.

When all is normal, a great system is in operation: the mucus is thin and it sits on top of the ends of the cilia, which beat in a way to move this mucociliary escalator out of the lungs or sinus cavities. The system provides a barrier for microbes, pollutants and allergens from actually getting further into the cells, and also a mechanism for removing these unwanted items from the body.

Unfortunately, both allergic problems and infections can spoil this otherwise wonderful mechanism. They succeed because the inflammation from allergy/infection increases the viscosity of mucus, which is bad for two reasons: 1. The cilia can’t move the paste-like mucus, and 2. The white blood cells that want to attack the microbes find it slow-going trying to “swim” through thick mucus. Then there’s the dastardly aspect of infection: Many microbes have learned the capacity to manufacture mucus-thickening proteins as a way of defending themselves from your body’s immune attack.

So what can you do to bolster your defense against these attackers? The bottom line is to try and keep your mucus thin. Avoid milk and push clear fluids. Water is best. And as Grandma used to advise, a hot, steamy shower can loosen thick mucus. Over-the-counter medicines that work are guaifenesin (found in Mucinex and Robitussin), and N-A-C (N-acetyl cysteine).

Q – Tips: Asthma and obesity

Q – Tips: Asthma and obesity

A recent Canadian study on obese asthmatics found marked improvement in airway function associated with weight loss. The degree of improvement seemed to track with the amount of weight shed, but notable improvement was found with as little as an eight-pound loss.

Q – Tips: IBS

Q – Tips: IBS

Recent research on IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) has uncovered the fact that many persons with this condition have a bacterial toxin called cytolethal toxin B (Cdt B) in their stool. This toxin is produced by unhealthy gut microbes. A potential treatment is the use of probiotics.

Q – Tips: Mediterranean Diet

Q – Tips: Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet has been shown to keep telomere length long. Telomeres are DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes used to repair our chromosomes from damage. The Mediterranean Diet (high in fruits, vegetables, nuts and olive oil — with reduced red meat) reduces oxidative stresses that damage our chromosomes. Damaged chromosomes lead to premature aging, cancer and chronic disease.