Gut Feeling

[Guest guest]

" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

 

HSI e-Alert - Gut Feeling

Mon, 31 Jan 2005 10:07:12 -0500

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - Gut Feeling

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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January 31, 2005

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Dear Reader,

 

I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was this bad.

 

In previous e-Alerts I've written about the dangers of taking

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin,

ibuprofen and naproxen. But just today I came across a commentary

about NSAIDs published in a 2001 issue of the journal Clinical

Cornerstone. And here's the statistic I found surprising: Well over

100,000 hospitalizations per year are attributed to upper

gastrointestinal adverse events associated with long-term NSAIDs use.

But this statistic is positively shocking: About 15 percent of those

patients die as a result of their adverse reactions.

 

That's right: An estimated 16,500 deaths are directly linked to

long-term NSAIDs use every year. And are those pious congressmen who

spearheaded an emotional drive to ban ephedra last year lining up to

demand a ban of all NSAIDs? Please - don't make me laugh. And don't

get me started!

 

And yet, as bad as this situation was assessed to be in 2001, a new

study shows that it may be even worse.

 

If you know anyone who recently stopped using Vioxx or Celebrex and

switched to NSAIDs use on a regular basis, this is an e-Alert they

can't afford to miss.

 

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Inside peek

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The frequency and severity of small intestine lesions caused by NSAIDs

use is unclear. In the January 2005 issue of the journal Clinical

Gastroenterology and Hepatology, researchers at Baylor College of

Medicine report on a study that assessed how much damage may be caused

by persistent use of these drugs.

 

The researchers recruited 21 men and women (their average age was

about 50) who had different types of arthritis. All of these subjects

had used NSAIDs daily for at least three months. A control group of 20

subjects who didn't use NSAIDs was also recruited.

 

All of the subjects underwent video capsule endoscopy. This is a

unique internal imaging system that requires the patient to swallow a

capsule that contains a miniature camera. As the capsule passes

through the small intestine, the video reveals polyps, lesions,

erosions and ulcers that other tests usually miss. Each video was

reviewed by two investigators who were not aware of any subject's

NSAIDs use.

 

The results were conclusive. More than 70 percent of the NSAIDs users

had some type of bowel injury (ranging from minor erosions to

significant ulcers), while only 10 percent in the control group showed

injury. Five subjects in the NSAIDs group had major damage. No major

damage was reported in the control group.

 

In their conclusions, the Baylor team wrote, " Small-intestinal mucosal

injury is very common among chronic NSAID users. "

 

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Heavy on the heart

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This is a tough time for people who suffer from arthritis. Vioxx was

taken off the market in October because cumulative research linked the

drug to a high risk of heart attacks and strokes. A recent study

showed that Celebrex may also increase heart attack risk. And another

study that compared Aleve (the brand name of naproxen) to Celebrex was

halted, citing evidence that Aleve may trigger heart attacks and strokes.

 

So where can arthritis patients turn? Here's a quick rundown of three

natural treatments that don't put patients at risk of life-threatening

side effects.

 

COD LIVER OIL: In the e-Alert " Tremors & Aftershocks " (10/18/04), I

told you about research that shows how cod liver oil may reverse the

actions of the enzymes that break down cartilage. In fact, studies

suggest that taking cod liver oil can even prevent the development of

arthritis, while reducing symptoms in those already afflicted with the

disease.

 

ACUPUNCTURE: In the e-Alert " House of Cards " (12/28/04), I told you

about a study of 570 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Among the

subjects who were treated with acupuncture, 40 percent reported

reduced pain. These subjects also had significant improvements in knee

mobility and function.

 

NICOTINAMIDE: In a National Institutes of Health study, this

anti-inflammatory nutrient (a derivative of niacin - also known as

vitamin B3) relieved arthritis pain by almost 30 percent and improved

range of motion and flexibility in joints.

 

These natural treatments are just three that stand out. Over the

years, HSI has written about several safe alternatives to NSAIDs. In

the June 2001 HSI Members Alert, we told you about the topical

deep-tissue oil Pain Away (now called Soothanol), a formula that

combines 12 proven painkillers. In July 2000, we covered Ayurvedic

herbal formulas like Boswellia, an anti-inflammatory. And in a 2001

e-Alert, I told you about Lyprinol, a natural remedy proven to inhibit

one of the biochemical pathways required for inflammatory response.

 

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....and another thing

 

The milk industry and the USDA have done such a good job of scaring

the public away from raw milk products that for many people the truth

just doesn't compute.

 

In the e-Alert " The Milkman Cometh " (12/22/04), HSI Panelist Allan

Spreen, M.D., made a comment that a member named Todd has a question

about: " In 'The Milkman Cometh' Dr. Spreen was quoted as writing, 'It

was consistently shown that there were fewer bacteria in raw milk than

the pasteurized variety.' Kindly provide me with the reference for

that information. "

 

Dr. Spreen's source for that surprising fact comes from Mathis Dairy.

Dr. Spreen explains: " Mathis Dairy was hounded (mercilessly) by the

conventional dairy lobby in Georgia until their raw milk business was

outlawed. They consistently showed (and had to during the fight) that

pasteurized milk was not bacteria-free, and their certified raw milk

(due to vastly more stringent dairy procedures) had a lower bacteria

count. "

 

But that's not the only source for that bacteria comparison.

 

Dr. Spreen has often referred to the work and writings of Sally

Fallon, a nutrition researcher who founded the Weston A. Price

Foundation and A Campaign for Real Milk. On that campaign's web site

(realmilk.com) she writes, " The overall bacteria count of milk

produced under clean conditions is much lower than that of pasteurized

milk. "

 

In addition, Ms. Fallon notes that raw milk bacteria are the healthy

bacteria of lactic-acid fermentation. She describes the bacteria in

pasteurized milk as " the bacteria of spoilage. "

 

That's the word of an internationally respected milk researcher. Now

here's real-world confirmation from an HSI member named Billie who is

a dairy farmer. Billie writes, " My 'working girls' milk tested far

freer of bacteria than the count allowed in store bought milk.

 

" My Girl's RAW: 1 Coliform Unit / 2,500 plate count.

 

" Gov. Allowed in store bought: 10 Coliform Units/50,000 plate count. "

 

Standard plate count determines the bacterial density of milk, while

coliform units are commonly referred to as " fecal coliform units. "

'Nuff said!

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

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Sources:

" Visible Small-Intestinal Mucosal Injury in Chronic NSAID Users "

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vol. 3, No. 1, January 2005,

cghjournal.org

" Stud Shows Long-Term Use of NSAIDs Causes Severe Intestinal Damage "

American Gastroenterological Association, 1/3/05, eurekalert.org

" Understanding NSAIDs: From Aspirin to COX-2 " Clinical Cornerstone,

Vol. 3, No. 5, 2001, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

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