To Your HealthTYH Archives

December 18, 2001[Volume 2, Issue 26]

 

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In this issue of To Your Health:

Try the Natural Approach to Health Care

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, effectively reduce pain and fever. Yet these drugs have been linked to peptic ulcers, which cause pain, bleeding, and perforation in the stomach. Few studies have reported on the risk for peptic ulcers related to the use of the NSAID acetaminophen, however, which is found in Tylenol. In addition, it is not known if several new NSAIDs approved for public use in the last decade are related to ulcers.

The authors of the study, which appeared in a recent issue of the journal Epidemiology, evaluated the risk of ulcer associated with the use of acetaminophen and several new NSAIDs. Researchers collected data on over 2,000 peptic ulcer patients and 11,500 of their healthy counterparts. Dosage and drug combinations, as well as overall drug use, were determined for the 40- to 79-year-old British subjects.

Acetaminophen use increased risk of peptic ulcer almost four times if more than two doses (or four pills) were taken daily. Risk was slight when less than that dosage was taken. Overall, NSAID use increased risk of ulcers fourfold at any dosage, but the drugs were most dangerous together: Combining NSAIDs and two doses or more of acetaminophen daily increased the risk for peptic ulcer 13.2 times.

Of course, these findings are based on a dosage of only four pills daily; many people take the recommended maximum dosage of eight pills per day. If you suffer from headaches, back pain, or other chronic conditions for which you take NSAIDs, never combine different drugs, and keep your dosages minimal, especially if you are having any sort of stomach problems. For more information on nonpharmaceutical approaches to managing pain, schedule an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic.

Reference: Rodríguez LAG, Hernández-Díaz S. Relative risk of upper gastrointestinal complications among users of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Epidemiology 2001:12(5), pp. 570-576.

Hair Dyes May Cause Arthritis

If you weren't born a platinum blonde (but are now), you may be interested to hear about the recently discovered association between hair dyes and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling condition in which the immune system attacks the body's cartilage, bone, and joints - leading to tissue damage and severe pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to have multiple origins, including insulin use and psychological stress, and is more likely in women than in men. A Swedish study recently published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases compared more than 400 rheumatoid arthritis patients with nearly 900 healthy individuals from 1980 to 1995.

Using hair dyes for more than 20 years doubled the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women. Other significant (and unusual) risk factors for women having the condition included matrimonial quarrels; tick-borne infections; regular exposure to horses; and smoking. In men, using a private water well and exposure to indoor mold were factors previously unknown to be linked to rheumatoid arthritis.

Many women use hair dyes regularly throughout their lives. Although researchers are unsure why dyes are linked to rheumatoid arthritis, until more information is available, you should consider showing off your natural hair color. Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about any health concerns you have, and visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/women.html.

Reference: Reckner Olsson A, Skogh T, Wingren G. Comorbidity and lifestyle, reproductive factors, and environmental exposures associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2001:60, pp. 934-939.

A Supplement for Sore Eyes

The leading cause of blindness and visual impairment among those 65 and older is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD occurs when light-sensing cells on the back of the eye malfunction and die off, causing a gradual loss of central (not peripheral) vision. There is no proven treatment to slow or prevent the progression of advanced AMD, but in its early stages some supplements may be effective.

The purpose of a recent study in the Archives of Ophthalmology was to determine the effectiveness of dietary antioxidants at preventing AMD. This study determined the effects of high daily doses of antioxidants (vitamin C - 500 milligrams; vitamin E - 400 IU; beta-carotene - 15 mg), zinc (80 mg), and the combined effects of zinc and antioxidants, on macular degeneration. Patients aged 55 to 80 were followed for approximately six years; all 3,500 individuals were considered to be at-risk for AMD.

Individuals at high risk for macular degeneration who took antioxidant supplements plus zinc for six years significantly lowered their risk for the condition, compared to those given a placebo (e.g., sugar pills). This group also showed a significant reduction in loss of visual clarity. Those given antioxidants or zinc alone reduced their chances for developing AMD, but by a smaller amount, and showed no change in visual acuity.

After age 55, schedule annual dilated eye examinations to determine your risk of AMD. If you are at a high risk for the condition, consider antioxidant and zinc supplementation. Red meat and shellfish contain high levels of zinc. Dietary antioxidants are concentrated in oranges; nuts and seeds; cantaloupe; broccoli; dark-green leafy vegetables; and sweet potatoes.

Reference: Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. Archives of Ophthalmology 2001:119(10), pp. 1417-1436.

Breathe Easier with Antioxidants

If you live in a metropolis, you are probably all-to-familiar with the brown cloud of pollution that envelops you. An estimated 130 million Americans reside in areas where atmospheric ozone - a major component of photochemical smog - consistently exceeds levels that people should not be exposed to even three days per year. Ozone gas exposure is an ever-present public health problem because it damages cells in the human body.

Besides moving to the country, how can you reduce your risk for ozone-induced lung injury? The authors of a recent study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine determined the effects of dietary antioxidants on lung function and inflammation resulting from ozone exposure. Thirty-one men and women, ages 18-35, were divided into a group given antioxidant supplements or a control group. The first group was given vitamin C supplements and blended carrot and tomato juices for two weeks. Controls received a placebo pill (e.g. sugar) and placebo drink that did not contain antioxidants. All individuals were then exposed to ozone gas, and lung function and tissue inflammation were measured.

Although antioxidants appeared to have no effect on the severity of lung inflammation, lung function was significantly better in the supplementation group than in the control group after ozone inhalation. Also, concentrations of vitamins in the blood remained significantly higher in the supplementation group during the experiment.

If you live in a polluted city, eat plenty of antioxidant-rich produce, such as strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, and winter squash. The vitamins in these foods provide numerous health benefits beyond their potential impact on lung function - from reducing risk of cancer to preventing sickness by boosting the immune system. To learn more about the benefits of vitamins and minerals, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html.

Reference: Samet JM, Hatch GE, Horstman D, et al. Effect of antioxidant supplementation on ozone-induced lung injury in human subjects. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2001:164(5), pp. 819-825.

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