Abstracts & Commentary
Sugar consumption has increased dramatically in recent history, as has cardiovascular disease. This study seeks to determine the link between the two, and its results are clear: Consumption of added sugar increases the risk of death from CVD exponentially.
A recent study found that 30 grams of flaxseed per day significantly reduced blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. These results come as a pleasant surprise. To quote the lead author, Dr Delfin Rodriguez, "This reduction of SBP and DBP after administration of dietary flaxseed is the largest decrease in BP ever shown by any dietary intervention."
This paper is of importance for several reasons; first it may foretell a time when the standard of care suggests that women at high risk for breast cancer be prescribed anastrozole and our patients will be asking us for advice. Second, there are natural substances that have aromatase inhibitory action and data from this paper may encourage the use of these materials by certain patients.
Patients can feel overwhelmed when diagnosed with diabetes, often due to the expectation of lifestyle change with minimal clinical support. Exercise and healthy, balanced meals are interventions commonly used by integrative practitioners for diabetic patients. While this trial does a great job of highlighting the importance of these interventions, more significantly it emphasizes the importance of consistent education, support, and behavioral strategies. Although the endpoint of cardiovascular events cannot be determined without further follow-up, it would seem reasonable that the changes noted thus far in the intervention group will result in decreased cardiovascular events based on the reduction of CVD risk factors.
Cruciferous plants use sulforaphane to ward off bacterial, viral, and fungal infection. Given the quantity of research that suggests the phytochemical sulforaphane plays a desirable role in promoting health, we should encourage our patients to consume foods or supplements that will provide this chemical. This study adds valuable information on how to do so.
Glucosamine is commonly used for joint support, and it has attracted very little interest for any other use outside of osteoarthritic pain. This large epidemiological study gives us reason to look at other unexpected benefits to this simple molecule. The risk of lung adenocarcinoma was cut approximately in half in those taking glucosamine at least 4 times per week for 3 years.
It is possible that higher melatonin levels may be beneficial in people with stable circadian rhythms, but in night workers with unstable rhythms, simple suppression of melatonin may be more beneficial.
This study clearly demonstrates the impact of nutritional deficiency and the role it may play in mental health status.
Participants without prostate cancer were monitored every 6 months with an annual limited physical examination including blood pressure, weight, and smoking status; participants who developed prostate cancer during the study were monitored annually thereafter.
Observational study assessing the relationship between supplement use and total mortality rate in older women. The study utilized data from the Iowa Women's Health Study, which was originally designed to examine associations between several host, dietary, and lifestyle factors and the incidence of cancer in postmenopausal women.
