June 6, 2001[Volume 2, Issue 12]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Warning: Sciatica Ahead!
• Which Shoes to Choose?
• Eating Away at Wrinkles
• To "B" or Not to "B"
  

Sciatica affects about five percent of adults in the United States and is one of the most common causes of chronic disability. Scientists have identified a genetic mutation that significantly raises the risk of sciatica, a common cause of back pain. In a recent study, individuals with this gene mutation were three times more likely to have sciatica, a spinal disc disease that affects the body's largest nerve and causes pain in the lower back and legs.

This study, appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, states that sciatica has been linked to environmental factors such as improper lifting and sitting for long periods. This new findings suggest that people with the genetic variation are especially vulnerable to such stresses.

The mutation is though to damage a protein in the disk called collagen IX. This can make the disc prone to rupture, sometimes resulting in pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from the pelvic area down each leg. The variation can be found in a relatively simple blood test, offering a new way to diagnose sciatica which often does not show up on MRI scans.

Your doctor of chiropractic can provide you with more information on testing for and the potential causes and most effective methods of managing sciatica and other back conditions.

Reference: Paassilta P, Lohiniva J, Perala M, et al. Identification of a novel common genetic risk factor for lumbar disk disease. The Journal of the American Medical Association 2001:285(14), pp. 1843-1849.

For more information on back pain, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/backpain.html.

Which Shoes to Choose?

For many women, the classic stiletto high-heeled shoe can make an outfit sing. However, too often these shoes can also make the feet ache. But did you know that they could also cause long-term damage?

Studies have shown that narrow high-heeled shoes are bad for the knees, causing osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, in which joint cartilage degenerates. In this study, published in The Lancet, U.S. researchers found that wide-heeled shoes caused 30% greater pressure on the knees than walking barefoot.

The particular parts of the knee affected are those which deteriorate as osteoarthritis develops. A particular kind of pressure, called varus torque, placed on the knee was measured. It was found that pressure makes the quadriceps muscle in the thigh work harder, which in turn places more pressure on the kneecap.

This study shows that wide-heeled women's dress shoes cause the same, if not greater alterations in knee torques (pressures) as narrow-heeled shoes, and recommends the wearing of shoes with low or no heels.

Your doctor of chiropractic can tell you more about appropriate foot attire and help you choose a shoe that is safe and suitable to your needs..

Reference: Kerrigan C, Lelas J, Karvosky ME. Women's shoes and knee osteoarthritis. The Lancet 2001:357, pp.1097-1098.

Eating Away at Wrinkles

A fountain of youth may be as close as your kitchen, new study findings suggest. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and unsaturated fats may ward off wrinkles by boosting the skins natural defenses against sun damage.

In an international study of eating patterns and skin aging, investigators found that dark and fair-skinned people who ate plenty of wholesome foods but passed on butter, red meat and sugary confections were less prone to wrinkling.

Some of the skin-smoothing foods included green leafy vegetables, beans, olive oil, nuts and multigrain breads, researchers reported in The Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Many of the skin-protecting foods the study turned up are rich in antioxidant vitamins, which may fend off environmental damage.

More than 400 adults, aged 70 and older, who ate more of the foods that are universally recommended for good health had smoother skin. The study authors speculate that certain foods offered skin protection due to their high levels of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E. Monosaturated fats such as olive oil may offer beneficial protection through the same mechanism. Fatty acids are present in the skin, and monosaturated fats resist oxidative damage.

How do you know what fruits and vegetables have high levels of antioxidants? Ask your doctor of chiropractic, or ask that your local grocer post nutritional information about the products that you choose, if they don't already. For additional information on senior health issues, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/senior.html.

Reference: Purba M, Kouris-Blazos A, Wattanapenpaiboon N, et al. Skin wrinkling: can food make a difference? Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2001:20(1), pp. 71-80.

To "B" or Not to "B"

Giving the B vitamin to patients with chronic hepatitis B improves signs of the disease, a small study has found. The study, reported in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, could point to a cheap and non-toxic way of treating the infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected individual. HBV infects the liver, and in severe cases can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. Symptoms can be treated with antiviral drugs and interferon, but there is no cure.

An astute patient noticed that his high aminotransferase enzyme levels, or catalysts for the transfer of amino acids, indicated a more active infection of the liver. After a review of the patient's chart, a relationship was found noting that the patient's aminotransferase levels fell when he took thiamine. While patients were on thiamine treatment, their aminotransferase levels fell from abnormally high to normal levels, which increased when the Thiamine was withdrawn.

This is the first study to investigate thiamine for treating hepatitis B infection, however, thiamine is cheap, and without side effects. Watermelon, green beans, oysters, and sunflower seeds are all great sources of thiamine.

Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about the essentials of proper nutrition and the negative impact poor diet can have on your future health and wellness. For more information on nutrition, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html.

Reference: Wallace AE, Weeks WB. Thiamine treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection. The American Journal of Gastroenterology 2001:96(3), pp. 864-868.

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