Fwd: RED FLAGS - FROM RFD, AUGUST 21, 2003

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Thu, 21 Aug 2003 14:57:56 -0700

RED FLAGS - FROM RFD, AUGUST 21, 2003

 

 

AUGUST 21, 2003

 

REDFLAGSDAILY.COM

http://www.redflagsdaily.com

 

RED FLAGS, THURSDAY EDITION

 

ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES AND NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

 

Today's news that NSAIDS may help reduce the risk of developing

Parkinson's disease must be evaluated very carefully for a number of

reasons.

 

The first question is whether the science is any good. The second question

is whether the downside (the side-effects) of taking anti-inflammatory

drugs for long stretches of time makes good sense. And the third question

is whether we should be focusing so much attention again on drugs as the

major way to fight disease.

 

The science isn't so hot. This particular study is not the carefully

controlled way you want to study such a phenomenon (analyzing data from

two studies of people who provide periodic information on their medical

history and lifestyle habits for more than ten years). This simply is not

rigorous research. No one should even think of popping over the counter

NSAIDS on the basis of this study or sneaking a prescription NSAID from a

laissez-faire doctor. And there certainly isn't aren't rigorous data

indicating that people who have Parkinson's can benefit from taking

NSAIDS.

 

As for side-effects, this is a big issue. Long-term use of this class of

drugs is well known to be associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and

stomach ulcers. NSAID-related side-effects are a major route to the

emergency room for seniors every year.

 

And what about diet and environmental cleanup as alternative ways to help

prevent neurological disease? In the case of Alzheimer's where there is

also research pointing to the possibility of taking NSAIDS as an effective

way of helping to prevent the disease, there is also research showing that

lifestyle factors might be employed effectively. Diet, for example, that

includes healthy fats, might prove to be important. Similar potential

benefits might be claimed for anti-oxidant vitamins. But the bottom line

here is that research is still preliminary and due to the likely causal

complexity of neurological diseases, any clear-cut protocol is simply out

of reach for now. Anyone claiming they have the " formula " either doesn't

understand the science, or is out to clean your wallet.

 

-Nicholas Regush

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