Join Us at Our Next Seminar!
Newark, NJ is Next Stop
The Thorne Research 2008 Forum on Therapeutic Nutrition comes to Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 21. This day-long seminar will include these fascinating and clinically relevant topics:
The Epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency
Detoxification in a Toxic World
Are Good Manufacturing Practices Good Enough?
What's New in Nutritional Medicine?
Join Al Czap, Alan Miller, ND, and Tom Malterre, MS, CN, as they explore these issues at the Newark Airport Marriott Hotel. Practitioners attending the seminar will receive lunch and a $75 Thorne Research product credit.
Click here for more information on this informative and exciting seminar!
breaking news
Good Manufacturing Practices Should Not Be "Skin Deep"
Quality control in manufacturing, and the lack thereof, is being written about more and more, and is becoming increasingly more obfuscated. On Feburary 5, 2008, an Associated Press wire story highlighted "the lack thereof " in pharmaceutical quality control, revealing the incidence of blue flecks that were found dotting the finished drug capsules Diltiazem, that matched the paint on the factory doors of a Biovail pharmaceutical plant. The plant began placing covers over the carts of capsules in its manufacturing areas, but inexplicably never tried to find out whether past shipments of the drug were contaminated - or prevent contamination in the future, according to the FDA. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries exported its drug products from Israel to the United States even though they were known to contain small amounts of metal particles...
2008 Thorne Research Webinars a Huge Success!
Our first live, web-based educational seminars of 2008 were filled to capacity, and we received very positive feedback on the presenters and the lecture content. Thorne Research customers, please watch your e-mail or check back here for announcements on upcoming webinars.
If you didn't get a chance to view the live webinars you can still watch the archived lectures.
Heavy Metal Toxicity and Detoxification, with Walter Crinnion, ND
Cardiovascular Health - The Importance of Vascular Function, with Alan L. Miller, ND.
Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease, with Tom Malterre, MS, CN.
Thorne customers can access these lectures by clicking here.
Ginkgo Improves Memory - If You Remember To Take It
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 118 cognitively-intact elderly patients, Ginkgo significantly improved cognitive function, if the patients actually took the supplement. The study participants, all age 85 and over, were given capsules of a standardized Ginkgo biloba product or placebo for 42 months and cognitive function was assessed for every six months. In the overall analysis, there was no improvement in progression to dementia and no difference in memory between the ginkgo and placebo groups. However, when adherence to the supplementation regimen was taken into account, the Ginkgo group was significantly better in the areas of progression to dementia and cognitive decline. The researchers took a unique approach to this study by analyzing results in participants who actually took the study substance on a regular basis. This study is very encouraging, as supplementation of the Ginkgo extract resulted in a positive cognitive response in very elderly patients.
Dodge HH, Zitzelberger T, Oken BS, et al. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba for the prevention of cognitive decline. Neurology 2008; Feb 27 [epub ahead of print]
Pregnant Women Walk Omega-3/Mercury Tightrope
Eating more fish during pregnancy can improve brain function of children, according to a new study. Women who ate more than two servings of fatty fish per week had children who, at age three, performed better on cognitive and motor skills tests. However, in women who had higher mercury levels in pregnancy, their children had lower test scores. The problem is that women who had high mercury levels also consumed more fish. This conundrum is what prevents many women from getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet while pregnant. In fact, the US FDA recommends pregnant women not eat any shark, king mackerel, tilefish, or swordfish because of increased levels of mercury in these fish. It may be more feasible that women take a pure fish oil supplement in pregnancy rather than eat potentially contaminated fish.
Oken E, Radesky JS, Wright RO, et al. Maternal fish intake during pregnancy, blood mercury levels, and child cognition at age 3 years in a US cohort. Am J Epidemiol 2008 Mar 28 [Epub ahead of print]
Low Folate May Decrease Male Fertility
An increased risk of birth defects, including spinal cord abnormalities and cleft palate, is a well-known consequence of reduced folate intake in women. However, results of a recent study point toward a protective effect of folate on sperm health as well. The study analyzed nutrient intake and sperm health in 89 healthy men. Those with the highest folate intake had the lowest incidence of chromosomally-abnormal sperm - up to 30 percent less than the low folate group¬. This is the first study to find a relationship between folate intake and male reproductive health. Other nutrients, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc had no effect on chromosome defects.
Young SS, Eskenazi B, Marchetti FM, et al. The association of folate, zinc and antioxidant intake with sperm aneuploidy in healthy non-smoking men. Human Reproduction 2008; p 1-9.
Antibiotics Are Ineffective For Most Sinusitis Cases
Antibiotic resistance is a formidable clinical problem, one that has been fueled by physicians prescribing antibiotics for upper respiratory tract symptoms, including acute rhinosinusitis. Approximately 80-percent of patients receive antibiotic treatment when presenting with sinusitis symptoms. However, most sinusitis is either viral or fungal in origin. A study published in the March 15, 2008, issue of Lancet found that 15 patients had to be given antibiotics for one person to benefit from the treatment - in other words, 14 patients received the antibiotic unnecessarily. In the study's conclusion, the authors state, "Common clinical signs and symptoms cannot identify patients with rhinosinusitis for whom treatment is clearly justified. Antibiotics are not justified even if a patient reports symptoms for longer than 7-10 days."
One non-drug treatment appears to benefit chronic nasal and sinus symptoms significantly - saline nasal lavage. A number of studies have investigated if a nasal saline rinse is helpful as a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment. This treatment was shown to be an effective solo remedy in a study published in the November 2007 journal Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery.
For more information on alternative treatments for rhinosinusitis, download the review article from Alternative Medicine Review.
Young J, De Sutter A, Merenstein D, et al. Antibiotics for adults with clinically diagnosed acute rhinosinusitis: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. Lancet 2008;371:908-914.
Pynnonen MA, Mukerji SS, Kim HM, et al. Nasal saline for chronic sinonasal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;133:1115-1120.
Vitamin D Levels May Affect Blood Pressure
The health benefits of maintaining an adequate serum level of 25'hydroxy vitamin D are numerous. A recent article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition hypothesized that systolic blood pressure levels might be influenced by serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D.
In this cross-sectional study, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1992) was evaluated, and the authors found a significant association between age-associated blood pressure increase and serum 25(OH)D in white subjects. Deficient subjects (<50 nmol/L, or 20 ng/ml) had an age-related systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase of 0.50 mm Hg/year, insufficient subjects (50-79 nmol/L or 20-31.6 ng/ml) 0.48 mm Hg/y, and sufficient (>80 nmol/L or 32 ng/ml) subjects had an SBP increase of 0.40 mm Hg/y. "Participants who were vitamin D deficient and insufficient had significantly higher age-associated increases in SBP than did participants who were vitamin D sufficient (p=0.01).
In this population of 7,699 people 19 yrs of age or older, 61% of whites and 92% of blacks were found to have insufficient vitamin D levels as defined as a serum 25(OH)D level less than 80 nmol/L (32 ng/ml). This was of particular concern because 65% of the black participants had vitamin D levels checked in the summer or fall, when levels are typically highest. The researchers were unable to detect a correlation between blood pressure and vitamin D in these subjects because practically all were deficient.
Judd SE, Nanes MS, Ziegler TR, et al. Optimal vitamin D status attenuates the age-associated increase in systolic blood pressure in white Americans: results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:136-141.
Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke
Recent vitamin D research has found vitamin D receptors in heart muscle and many other tissues. This may partly explain the results of the Framingham Offspring Study, in which researchers analyzed vitamin D status (serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D]) in 1,739 individuals without cardiovascular disease to determine how levels might correspond with the incidence of cardiac events (MI, stroke). Baseline levels were assessed and participants were followed for a mean of 5.4 years. Researchers observed the incidence of cardiovascular disease and found it was correlated positively with serum 25-(OH)D status. Individuals who were seriously deficient (25-(OH)D < 10 ng/mL) had an 80% greater risk of having a cardiovascular incident, while deficient individuals with 25-(OH)D between 10-15 ng/mL had a 53% increased risk, compared to those with 25-(OH)D > 15 ng/mL. A serum 25-(OH)D level less than 30 ng/mL is considered deficient by most vitamin D experts. The authors concluded vitamin D deficiency is positively correlated with incident cardiovascular disease.
Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth Sl, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation 2008;117:503-511.
Folate Status in Mexican-American Men Is Dependent On Genetics
Previous studies have indicated that individuals with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C to T gene variant might have an insufficient folate status, as the aforementioned enzyme is responsible for converting folic acid to the active form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF). These individuals therefore have depleted methylation capabilities and elevated serum homocysteine. This study looked at the prevalence of this genetic variance in a Mexican-American population and discussed whether or not their folate needs were being met with the current Recommended Daily Allowance of 400 mcg folate per day. The researchers also examined whether choline supplementation would be an adequate substitute for lowering homocysteine in the absence of adequate folic acid.
With 12-week supplementation of folate (438 mcg/day) and varying levels of choline, (300, 500, 1100, or 2200 mg/d) subjects with the TT homozygous MTHFR 677C to T variant had a decrease in serum folate (SF) of 66% while "wildtype" or CC variant decreased SF by 62%. Consequently, plasma homocysteine increased 170% in the 677TT variant group while the 677CC group increased 18%. This study demonstrated that the current RDA for folate may be inadequate for the Mexican-American population, and in particularly for those with the 677TT gene variant. Choline was proven to not adequately influence folate status makers in the subjects of this study.
Solis C, Veenema K, Ivanov AA, et al. Folate intake at RDA levels is inadequate for Mexican-American men with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype. J Nutr 2008;138:67-72.
Increased EPA Blood Levels Seen With DHA Supplementation
There are a multitude of studies demonstrating the benefit of the combined essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers. A paper by Kelley et al focused on the benefits delivered by supplemental DHA and its sole influence on CVD markers in hypertriglyceridemic men.
Subjects received either 7.5g/d of DHA oil (3g DHA/d) or an olive oil placebo for 90 days. Fasting blood levels at day 45 demonstrated a decrease (P<0.05) in fasting remnant-like particle-cholesterol (RLP-C) of 36%, an increase of red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid (RBC n-3) index of 109%, and an increase in the EPA to arachidonic acid ratio of 100%. The final fasting blood levels on day 91 demonstrated a 162% increase in RBC-n-3, and a plasma EPA:AA ratio increase of 137% compared to baseline. The placebo group had no significant alterations in variables in comparison to baseline. This study is an important example of the retro-conversion of DHA to EPA and demonstrates that, although DHA is a downstream metabolite of EPA, it can convert back to EPA when necessary.
Kelley DS, Siegal D, Vemuri M, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation decreases remnant-like particle-cholesterol and increases the (n-3) index in hypertriglyceridemic men. J Nutr 2008;138:30-36.
Vitamin D Protects Against Colds & Flu
It has long been observed that incidence of colds and influenza rises in the fall and winter months and wanes in the spring and summer. This is the opposite of serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which increase in the summer and decrease dramatically as the amount of daylight diminishes. Research has shown adequate blood levels of vitamin D stimulate the genetic expression of antimicrobial peptides in human monocytes. These peptides demonstrate a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Vitamin D also has other immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory activity.
An article published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection reports on a three-year study of 208 African-American postmenopausal women (who are at great risk of vitamin D deficiency) who were supplemented with vitamin D or placebo. For the first two years the active group received 800 IU daily, which was increased to 2,000 IU daily in the last year of the study. In the three years of the study 34 patients reported cold and flu symptoms, eight in the supplemented group and 26 in the placebo group (p<0.002). This showed that participants who got a placebo had a 300-percent greater risk of having a cold or flu, and that vitamin D supplementation provided a highly significant protective effect.
Aloia JF. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect 2007;135:1095-1096.
Previous studies on fractionated citrus pectin have demonstrated reduced incidence of metastases in prostate cancer in a rat model, as well as decreased tumor growth in an ex vivo study. A pilot study of 10 men with prostate cancer showed a significantly increased PSA doubling time in men taking a modified citrus pectin product. Another study demonstrated growth inhibition of multiple myeloma cells taken from patients resistant to chemotherapies.
The current study analyzed the ability of various modified citrus pectin products to stimulate apoptosis (programmed cell death) in prostate cancer cells. Fractionated pectin powder induced significant apoptosis, while pH modified pectin and whole pectin had little or no effect. This is the first study to demonstrate that specific structural characteristics of various modified pectin products have an effect on their apoptotic activity in prostate cancer cells. The authors note, "Our results demonstrate that different extraction protocols may alter the structure of pectin and can lead to differences in pectin's apoptosis-inducing activity."
Jackson CL, Dreaden TM, Theobald LK, et al. Pectin induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: correlation of apoptotic function with pectin structure. Glycobiology 2007;17:805-819.
