January 11, 2005 [Volume 6, Issue 2]

To Your Health is brought to you by:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients May Benefit From High-Intensity Exercise
• Broccoli Compound May Supress Growth of Breast Cancer Cells
• Fruit May Boost Bone Health in Young Girls

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful joint disease characterized by inflammation and swelling of the lining of the joints, and can affect anyone at any age, including children. Though a person living with RA may not feel inclined to exercise, a recent study has found that high-intensity exercise does not increase joint damage in RA patients, and may even be beneficial.

Researchers in the Netherlands compared 145 usual care (UC) physical therapy patients with 136 patients engaged in high-intensity weight-bearing exercises over a two-year period. Study participants were evaluated for the rate of radiologic joint damage of the hands and feet. Disease activity, use of drugs, changes in physical capacity and bone mineral density (BMD), and participant attendance at exercise sessions were factors that had been determined could possibly affect the study outcome.

Results: “Participation in a long-term, high intensity weightbearing exercise programme comprising improvement in aerobic fitness and impact generating activities does not increase the rate of radiologic joint damage of the hands and feet in patients with RA,” the researchers noted. “On the contrary, it seems that these exercises have a protective effect for the joints of the feet."

If you suffer from RA, consult your physician before starting any fitness program and remember, routine chiropractic care can also help ease your pain. For more information on the benefits of chiropractic, visit www.chiroweb.com/find.

Reference: Jong de Z, Munneke M, Zwinderman AH, et al. Long term high intensity exercise and damage of small joints in rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2004; 63:1399-1405.

Sulforaphane is a chemical compound found in green vegetables such as broccoli and brussel sprouts. Previous research has shown that sulforaphane can inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors in animals and can induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in colon cancer cells. Now, a new study suggests that sulforaphane may also slow the spread of breast cancer cells.

Researchers treated samples of a malignant tumor in a lab with various concentrations of a sulforaphane solution (SUL). The cells were observed every few hours to determine rates of cellular division. The scientists found that within 48 hours, sulforaphane "inhibited cell proliferation" and "induced significant inhibiation of DNA synthesis" in the tumor cells. It appeared to do so by disrupting the action of certain protein microtubules in the cells, which are vital for successful cell division.

The scientists concluded that their study "is the first to report the effectiveness of SUL as an inhibitor of human mammary carcinoma proliferation and to provide confirmatory evidence of a recently identified novel mechanism of SUL action." They further recommended that future studies be conducted to "ascertain further implications of SUL intake."

For more information on general health and wellness, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general.

Reference: Jackson ST, Singletary KW. Sulforaphane inhibits human MCF-7 mammary cancer cell mitotic progression and tubulin polymerization. Journal of Nutrition September 2004;134:2229-2236.

Osteoporosis is a major health problem that is growing in importance as the population ages. It is thought that augmenting bone mass during adolescence is useful in preventing osteoporosis since this stage may be the last chance to substantially increase bone mass before skeletal consolidation. Although bone Mineral Density (BMD) is affected by many factors, nutrition is considered especially important because it can be modified.

Researchers in Northern Ireland recently conducted a study to determine whether usual fruit and vegetable intakes reported by adolescents have any influence on BMD. In the study, a random sample of 12-year-old boys and girls, and 15-year-old boys and girls were evaluated for BMD in the heel and forearm, and fruit and vegetable intake.

Researchers found that 12-year-old girls who consumed high amounts of fruit had considerably higher heel BMD than moderate fruit consumers did. No other associations were observed between fruit intake and forearm BMD, or between vegetable intake and either forearm or heel BMD. High fruit intake may be important for bone health in girls; however, additional studies are required to confirm the findings of this observational study.

For more information on pediatric health, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/pediatrics.

Reference: McGartland CP, Robson PJ, Murray LJ, et al. Fruit and vegetable consumption and bone mineral density: the Northern Ireland Young Hearts Project. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2004; 80(4):1019-1023.

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to: www.chiroweb.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php

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