Alternative Health Blog

In a cross-sectional, observational study involving 44 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 49 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, patients with CFS were found to have significantly altered plasma concentrations of various acylcarnitine concentrations, most significantly, oleyl-L-carnitine and linoleyl-L-carnitine, which were approximately 30-40% lower. The authors discuss how carnitine has been suggested to be involved in chronic fatigue syndrome through its critical role in production of cellular energy in the mitochondria. The authors conclude, "It is proposed that this disturbance in carnitine homeostasis is a result of a reduction in carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I) activity, possibly due to the accumulation of omega-6 fatty acids previously observed in this patient population. It is hypothesised that the administration of omega-3 fatty acids in combination with L-carnitine would increase CPT-I activity and improve chronic fatigue syndrome symptomology."

In a prospective study involving 92 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), results indicate that vitamin D deficiency may help reduce stooped posture. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were significantly lower in stooped PD patients (n = 34), compared with nonstooped PD patients (n = 58). During a follow-up of 5 years, 22% of patients in the nonstooped group, compared with 100% of patients in the stooped group developed new vertebral fracture. At 5-year end, mean serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were 7 ng/mL in the stooped group and 14.1 ng/mL in the nonstooped group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Stooped posture in Parkinson disease may be caused by vertebral fractures resulting from vitamin D deficiency with compensatory hyperparathyroidism. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce stooped posture in patients with Parkinson disease."

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involving 25 overweight children aged 9-12 years, results indicate that short-term supplementation with chromium may improve insulin sensitivity and body composition. The children were randomized to 400 microg chromium chloride or placebo, during a 6-week lifestyle modification regimen that included nutritional education and 3x90 min of aerobic physical activity weekly. At intervention end, chromium chloride supplemented children showed positive changes in HOMA, QUICKI, lean body mass and percentage body fat, compared with children in the placebo group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "These results suggest that short-term chromium supplementation can improve insulin sensitivity and body composition in overweight children."

In a randomized study involving 121 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, treatment with acupuncture plus manipulative regulation of knee muscle balance was found to significantly reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, as compared to a control group who received treatment with diclofenac sodium sustained release tablets. Patients were divided into a treatment group (n=63 cases involving 83 knees, 47 females, 16 males, average age: 60 years), and a control group (n=58 cases involving 73 knees, 45 females, 13 males, average age: 58 years). Appraisal scores of symptoms and physical signs index in the treatment group reduced from 39.81 to 9.69 (compared to 39.89 to 13.62 among controls), the numerical scale of pain reduced from 7.61 to 2.17 (compared to 7.55 to 3.34), joint function reduced from 1.47 to 0.61 (compared to 1.33 to 0.93), and joint swelling reduced from 1.23 to 0.42 (compared to 0.97 to 0.58 in the control group). While both groups experienced reductions in sympt oms, those in the acupuncture plus manipulative therapy group were found to have a better therapeutic effect in terms of scores of symptoms and physical signs index, numerical rating scale of pain, and joint function. After the treatment period, 12 patients in the treatment group were considered "clinically cured," as compared to 5 in the control group. 48 patients in the treatment group were found to have "remarkable effects" as compared to 31 in the control group, 19 were found to have "good" effects, as compared to 34 in the control group, and 4 were found "ineffective" as compared to 3 in the control group. When the patients were followed up with three months post-treatment, these numbers were 8, 42, 27, and 6 in the treatment group, as compared to 5, 21, 37, and 10, in the control group. The authors conclude, "Acupuncture plus manipulative regulation of knee muscle balance can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and knee joint's motor function of patients with knee osteoarthritis, and can avoid the further development of disease. It is a proved effective method for knee osteoarthritis."

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-month trial involving 46 elderly depressed females (aged 66-95 years), treatment with omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (2.5 g/d, containing 1.67 g EPA and 0.83 g DHA) was found to significantly reduce scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale and significantly improve physical and mental components of the SF-36, after a period of 2 months, in the intervention group alone. The authors conclude, "The supplementation of omega-3 LCPUFA in elderly female patients reduces the occurrence of depressive symptoms, improves phospholipids fatty acids profile and health-related quality of life."

In a study involving 38,597 women enrolled in the Women's Health Study (WHS), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, factorial trial of vitamin E (600 IU every other day) and aspirin (100 mg every other day), results indicate that vitamin E supplementation may be associated with a reduced risk of chronic lung disease. During 10 years of follow-up of women in the vitamin E and placebo groups, 760 first occurrences of chronic lung disease were reported in the vitamin E group compared with 846 in the placebo group. Using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for confounders, supplementation with vitamin E was associated with a 10% reduced risk of chronic lung cancer. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "In this large randomised trial, assignment to 600 IU vitamin E led to a 10% reduction in the risk of chronic lung disease in women.

In a study involving 42 patients with chronic, unexplained cough, results indicate that vitamin B12 deficiency may be a contributing factor. Laryngeal threshold (histamine concentration that provokes a 25% decrease in the midinspiratory flow), bronchial threshold (histamine concentration that provokes a 20% decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s), and cough threshold (histamine concentration that causes ?5 coughs) in response to an inhaled histamine were assessed at baseline and intervention end (intramuscular injections of cobalamin for 2 months). 15 of the patients were cobalamin deficient (Cbl-D) and 27 patients had normal levels of cobalamin (Cbl-N). Cbl-D patients had a higher prevalence of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness, thinner oropharyngeal epithelium, lower number of myelinated nerve fibers, and a higher immunoreactive score for nerve growth factor, compared with Cbl-N patients. Additionally, after cobalamin supplementation, symptoms and laryngeal, bronc hial, and cough thresholds were significantly improved in Cbl-D patients. Thus, the authors conclude, "This study suggests that Cbl-D may contribute to chronic cough by favoring sensory neuropathy as indicated by laryngeal hyperresponsiveness and increased NGF expression in pharyngeal biopsies of Cbl-D patients. Cbl-D should be considered among factors that sustain chronic cough, particularly when cough triggers cannot be identified."

In a study involving 35 azoospermic patients with maturation arrest on testicular biopsy, treatment with multivitamins, micronutrients, and coenzyme Q10 (n=24) was found to improve sperm count, motility, and normal morphology, as compared to subjects who were untreated (n=11). Specifically, the treatment group was found to have reduction in liquefaction time and relative viscosity of the semen, Moreover, the appearance of spermatozoa (4.0 million/ml) exhibiting progressive motility (7%), and normal morphology (6%) was found in the treatment group. Within 3 months, 2 pregnancies were reported from people in the treatment group. Based on these results, the authors conclude that, "multivitamin and micronutrient supplementation improve the qualitative and quantitative parameters of seminogram in patients with azoospermia of maturation arrest."

In a study involving 64 alcohol-dependent patients with minor or absent withdrawal symptoms, who were diagnosed with anhedonia (described as, "an inability to experience pleasurable emotions from normally pleasurable life events such as eating, exercise, social interaction or sexual activities"), treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine, intravenously for 10 days, followed by 80 days of oral treatment, at different dosages, was found to significantly reduce anhedonia and melancholic symptoms. Subjects in the placebo group were found to have a natural decline in anhedonia until day 30, after which time they remained stable. In the intervention group, intravenous acetyl-L-carnitine was found to accelerate the improvement of anhedonia, reaching a constant low level at day 10, both in the 3g dose and in the 1 g dose. The follow up oral treatment did not appear to offer additional benefit, as compared to the placebo group. The authors state, "...in alcohol dependent su bjects, ALC may be considered as a new potentially useful drug for the treatment of anhedonia."

In a retrospective study involving 32 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 12 vascular dementia (VaD) patients, 83 dementia due to other causes (DOC) patients, and 127 controls, results indicate that AD and VaD patients may benefit from vitamin B12 and folate supplementation. In AD, VaD, and DOC patients, the levels of vitamin B(12), and folate were significantly lower, compared with controls. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Vitamin B(12) and folate were significantly low in both AD and VaD patients. Hence, B vitamin supplementation should be considered as possible targets for the therapeutic intervention in dementia."

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study involving 12 subjects with type 2 diabetes, results indicate that consumption of chocolate with high polyphenol content may exert a beneficial effect on lipid profile. The subjects were randomized to 45 g chocolate/day with or without a high polyphenol content for 8 weeks, and then crossed over after a 4-week washout period. Consumption of high polyphenol chocolate was associated with a significant increase in HDL cholesterol and a decrease in total cholesterol: HDL ratio. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "High polyphenol chocolate is effective in improving the atherosclerotic cholesterol profile in patients with diabetes by increasing HDL cholesterol and improving the cholesterol:HDL ratio without affecting weight, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance or glycaemic control."

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 60 children with NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), results indicate that supplementation with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may improve liver steatosis and insulin sensitivity. The children were randomized to placebo, 250 mg/day DHA or 500 mg/day DHA, for a period of 6 months. At intervention end, children in the DHA groups showed lower odds of more severe versus less severe liver steatosis, compared with the placebo group. Additionally, increase in insulin sensitivity index and decrease in triglycerides were observed in the DHA groups, compared with the placebo group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "DHA supplementation improves liver steatosis and insulin sensitivity in children with NAFLD."

In a study involving Chinese women with the metabolic syndrome, results indicate that supplementation with vitamin E may reduce oxidative stress and improve lipid profile. The women were randomized to 100 IU/day, 200 IU/day, or 300 IU/day of vitamin E for a period of 4 months. At intervention end, significant decreases in total plasma cholesterol were observed in the 200 IU and 300 IU groups. Additionally, decrease in HDL cholesterol, and significant decreases in malondialdehyde and erythrocyte hemolysis were observed in all three groups, particularly in the 300 IU group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "VitE provided marked benefits in reducing oxidative stress levels and improving lipid status in women with MetS."

In a 4-phase study involving children between the ages of 36 to 83 months of age, supplementation with vitamin A was found to significantly increase absolute CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts in children with hypovitaminosis A and anemia. The study involved assessing serum retinol in 631 children, assessing immunological markers in 52 of the vitamin A deficient children, supplementing those 52 children with vitamin A (200,000 IU), and finally, re-assessing serum retinol and immunological markers after 2 months after supplementation. In the study population, 24% were anemic and 2.3% had reduced ferritin levels. After 2 months of supplementation, children with both hypovitaminosis A and anemia were found to have a significant increase in CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts. The authors state, "Vitamin A had an effect on the recruitment of T and B lymphocytes to the circulation of children with hypovitaminosis A and anemia."

In a study involving 10-week-old monozygomatic twins who were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis by newborn screening and who developed facial palsy and increased intracranial pressure, levels of serum vitamin A found were below normal range. The authors conclude, "Low levels of vitamin A are associated with facial nerve paralysis, and are at least partly implicated in the development of increased intracranial pressure in infants with cystic fibrosis."

In a prospective study involving 29,689 women, results indicate an inverse association between consumption of leafy vegetables and olive oil and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). During a mean follow-up of 7.85 years, 144 major CHD events were recorded. After adjusting for confounders, the highest quartiles for intakes of leafy vegetables and olive oil were independently associated with 46% and 44% reduced risks of CHD, respectively, compared with the corresponding lowest quartiles of intake. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "An inverse association between increasing consumption of leafy vegetables and olive oil and CHD risk emerged in this large cohort of Italian women."

In a population-based, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 302 community-dwelling ambulant elderly women aged 70 to 90 years with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels less than 24 ng/mL, results indicate that supplementation with vitamin D and calcium may improve lower limb muscle strength and mobility. The subjects were randomized to 1000 IU vitamin D2 + calcium citrate (1 g calcium) or placebo + calcium citrate daily for 12 months. In subjects in the lowest tertile of muscle strength and mobility, vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved muscle strength (hip extensor and adductors) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUAG) results (assessing muscle mobility). Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Vitamin D therapy was observed to increase muscle function in those who were the weakest and slowest at baseline. Vitamin D should be given to people with insufficiency or deficiency to improve muscle strength and mobility."

In a 12-week open-label intervention study involving 32 children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), 13 children with Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) and 13 children with Undefined Hypercholesterolemia (UH), results indicate that dietary supplementation with plant sterols may improve lipid profile. The children received plant-sterol enriched yogurt daily for a period of 12 weeks. At intervention end, a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol was observed in the children. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Daily consumption of plant sterol dairy products favorably changes lipid profile by reducing LDL-cholesterol. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of plant sterols-enriched foods in treating children with primary hyperlipidemia such as FCH and UH, likely to be the most frequent form also in the young age in the western populations."

In a controlled study involving 15 healthy subjects, results indicate that long-term supplementation with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may decrease the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. After a control phase (subjects consumed a standardized diet for 5 days) the subjects consumed a free diet while receiving supplementation with 900 mg EPA and 600 mg DHA, for a period of 30 days. At intervention end, relative supersaturation with calcium oxalate decreased significantly (23%) due to significantly decreased urinary oxalate excretion. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Results show that 30-day n-3 fatty acid supplementation effectively decreases urinary oxalate excretion and the risk of calcium oxalate crystallization."

In a hospital-based, case-control study involving 200 incident breast cancer cases and 200 controls, after controlling for age, education, parity, hormone replacement therapy, body mass index, energy intake, menopausal status, and daily sunlight exposure, dietary vitamin D intake greater than 5 microg/d was found to be associated with significantly lower OR (0.48) of breast cancer, as compared to those consuming less than 2 microg/d. After stratifying by menopausal status and BMI, dietary vitamin D intake and total vitamin D intakes were associated with a protective effect in premenopausal women. In subjects with a 'normal weight' (BMI lower than 24 kg/m(2)), dietary vitamin D intake was inversely associated with risk of breast cancer. The authors conclude, "Vitamin D had a protective effect against breast cancer in premenopausal women of normal weight in subtropical Taiwan, especially an intake greater than 5 micrograms per day."