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In this issue of To Your Health:
- Try the Natural Approach to Health Care
- Hair Dyes May Cause Arthritis
- A Supplement for Sore Eyes
- Breathe Easier with Antioxidants
- Aching Mind, Aching Back
- Are Antibiotics Putting You at Risk for Breast Cancer?
- When in Gout, Leave Meat Out
Try the Natural Approach to Health Care
 Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, effectively reduce pain
and fever. Yet these drugs have been linked to peptic ulcers, which cause pain, bleeding, and perforation in the stomach.
Few studies have reported on the risk for peptic ulcers related to the use of the NSAID acetaminophen, however, which is found
in Tylenol. In addition, it is not known if several new NSAIDs approved for public use in the last decade are related to ulcers.
The authors of the study, which appeared in a recent issue of the journal Epidemiology, evaluated the risk of ulcer
associated with the use of acetaminophen and several new NSAIDs. Researchers collected data on over 2,000 peptic ulcer patients
and 11,500 of their healthy counterparts. Dosage and drug combinations, as well as overall drug use, were determined for the
40- to 79-year-old British subjects.
Acetaminophen use increased risk of peptic ulcer almost four times if more than two doses (or four pills) were taken daily.
Risk was slight when less than that dosage was taken. Overall, NSAID use increased risk of ulcers fourfold at any dosage,
but the drugs were most dangerous together: Combining NSAIDs and two doses or more of acetaminophen daily increased the risk
for peptic ulcer 13.2 times.
Of course, these findings are based on a dosage of only four pills daily; many people take the recommended maximum dosage
of eight pills per day. If you suffer from headaches, back pain, or other chronic conditions for which you take NSAIDs, never
combine different drugs, and keep your dosages minimal, especially if you are having any sort of stomach problems. For more
information on nonpharmaceutical approaches to managing pain, schedule an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic.
Reference: Rodríguez LAG, Hernández-Díaz S. Relative risk of upper gastrointestinal complications among users of acetaminophen
and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Epidemiology 2001:12(5), pp. 570-576.
Hair Dyes May Cause Arthritis
If you weren't born a platinum blonde (but are now), you may be interested to hear about the recently discovered association
between hair dyes and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling condition in which the immune system attacks
the body's cartilage, bone, and joints - leading to tissue damage and severe pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis is known to have multiple origins, including insulin use and psychological stress, and is more likely
in women than in men. A Swedish study recently published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases compared more than
400 rheumatoid arthritis patients with nearly 900 healthy individuals from 1980 to 1995.
Using hair dyes for more than 20 years doubled the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women. Other significant (and unusual)
risk factors for women having the condition included matrimonial quarrels; tick-borne infections; regular exposure to horses;
and smoking. In men, using a private water well and exposure to indoor mold were factors previously unknown to be linked to
rheumatoid arthritis.
Many women use hair dyes regularly throughout their lives. Although researchers are unsure why dyes are linked to rheumatoid
arthritis, until more information is available, you should consider showing off your natural hair color. Talk to your doctor
of chiropractic about any health concerns you have, and visit http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/women.html.
Reference: Reckner Olsson A, Skogh T, Wingren G. Comorbidity and lifestyle, reproductive factors, and environmental
exposures associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2001:60, pp. 934-939.
A Supplement for Sore Eyes
The leading cause of blindness and visual impairment among those 65 and older is age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD occurs when light-sensing cells on the back of the eye malfunction and die off, causing a gradual loss of central (not
peripheral) vision. There is no proven treatment to slow or prevent the progression of advanced AMD, but in its early stages
some supplements may be effective.
The purpose of a recent study in the Archives of Ophthalmology was to determine the effectiveness of dietary antioxidants
at preventing AMD. This study determined the effects of high daily doses of antioxidants (vitamin C - 500 milligrams; vitamin
E - 400 IU; beta-carotene - 15 mg), zinc (80 mg), and the combined effects of zinc and antioxidants, on macular degeneration.
Patients aged 55 to 80 were followed for approximately six years; all 3,500 individuals were considered to be at-risk for
AMD.
Individuals at high risk for macular degeneration who took antioxidant supplements plus zinc for six years significantly
lowered their risk for the condition, compared to those given a placebo (e.g., sugar pills). This group also showed a significant
reduction in loss of visual clarity. Those given antioxidants or zinc alone reduced their chances for developing AMD, but
by a smaller amount, and showed no change in visual acuity.
After age 55, schedule annual dilated eye examinations to determine your risk of AMD. If you are at a high risk for the
condition, consider antioxidant and zinc supplementation. Red meat and shellfish contain high levels of zinc. Dietary antioxidants
are concentrated in oranges; nuts and seeds; cantaloupe; broccoli; dark-green leafy vegetables; and sweet potatoes.
Reference: Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose
supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. Archives
of Ophthalmology 2001:119(10), pp. 1417-1436.
Breathe Easier with Antioxidants
If you live in a metropolis, you are probably all-to-familiar with the brown cloud of pollution that envelops you. An estimated
130 million Americans reside in areas where atmospheric ozone - a major component of photochemical smog - consistently exceeds
levels that people should not be exposed to even three days per year. Ozone gas exposure is an ever-present public health
problem because it damages cells in the human body.
Besides moving to the country, how can you reduce your risk for ozone-induced lung injury? The authors of a recent study
in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine determined the effects of dietary antioxidants on
lung function and inflammation resulting from ozone exposure. Thirty-one men and women, ages 18-35, were divided into a group
given antioxidant supplements or a control group. The first group was given vitamin C supplements and blended carrot and tomato
juices for two weeks. Controls received a placebo pill (e.g. sugar) and placebo drink that did not contain antioxidants. All
individuals were then exposed to ozone gas, and lung function and tissue inflammation were measured.
Although antioxidants appeared to have no effect on the severity of lung inflammation, lung function was significantly
better in the supplementation group than in the control group after ozone inhalation. Also, concentrations of vitamins in
the blood remained significantly higher in the supplementation group during the experiment.
If you live in a polluted city, eat plenty of antioxidant-rich produce, such as strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, and winter
squash. The vitamins in these foods provide numerous health benefits beyond their potential impact on lung function - from
reducing risk of cancer to preventing sickness by boosting the immune system. To learn more about the benefits of vitamins
and minerals, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html.
Reference: Samet JM, Hatch GE, Horstman D, et al. Effect of antioxidant supplementation on ozone-induced lung injury
in human subjects. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2001:164(5), pp. 819-825.
Aching Mind, Aching Back
 The typical portrait of depression is an individual with slumped shoulders, slow movement and a defeated look. While
there are a number of potential consequences of depression - some benign, some more complex - you might be surprised to know
that depression could be associated with back pain.
In a recent study, 744 health-plans members 70 years and older were given a baseline assessment that included evaluation
of demographic, medical, physical and cognitive status. At baseline, 153 of the subjects were found to be depressed; over
a 12-month follow-up period, 186 participants reported disabling back pain during one to two months, with 91 reporting back
pain during three months. The researchers concluded that the presence of depressive symptoms was independently associated
with the occurrence of disabling back pain, and was a strong factor for the occurrence of disabling back pain in community-dwelling
older persons.
Depression and back pain can be disabling, independent of one another; but when the two are combined, the results can be
potentially devastating. Talk to your doctor if you're suffering from symptoms of depression, and if you also have back pain,
schedule regular appointments with your chiropractor.
Visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/musculoskeletal for more information about maintaining musculoskeletal health.
Reference: Reid CR, et al. Depressive symptoms as a risk factor for disabling back pain in community-dwelling
older persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Dec. 2003;51(12), pp1710.
Are Antibiotics Putting You at Risk for Breast Cancer?
Antibiotics are prescribed for a number of infections that can start as early as infancy. Depending on one's propensity
for developing infections, antibiotic use can be used extensively during a lifetime; however, a recent study shows that antibiotic
use over many years could increase the risk for breast cancer.
Researchers studied 2,266 women older than 19 years with primary, invasive breast cancer from a large, nonprofit health
plan (case group), and 7,953 randomly selected women from the same health plan without cancer (control group). The control
group subjects were matched to case group subjects based on age and length of health-plan enrollment.
Conclusion: According to the study, "Use of antibiotics is associated with increased risk of incident and fatal
breast cancer. It cannot be determined from this study whether antibiotic use is causally related to breast cancer, or whether
indication for use, overall weakened immune system function or other factors are pertinent underlying exposures." The researchers
affirm that although additional research is needed, the findings in this study "reinforce the need for prudent long-term use
of antibiotics."
If you are taking antibiotics, or have taken large amounts of antibiotics in the past, talk to your doctor about the findings
in this study and whether there are alternative nonpharmaceutical means of fighting infections otherwise treated with antibiotics.
For more information on women's health, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/women.html.
Reference: Velicer CM, Heckbert SR, Lampe JW, et al. Antibiotic use in relation to the risk of breast
cancer. Journal of the American Medical Association 2004;291(7):827-35.
When in Gout, Leave Meat Out
 Gout is a painful and debilitating condition that occurs when excess uric acid in the bloodstream forms crystal deposits in
the joints (usually in the feet, ankles and big toe, although it can also affect the hands, wrists, elbow and fingers).
Researchers studied the diets of 47,150 men with no history of gout over a 12-year period; during the course of the study,
730 of the participants were diagnosed with the condition. Researchers found that those who developed gout had a high intake
of red meat and seafood during that time, while the incidence of gout decreased in men who had consumed more dairy products.
The researchers concluded that individuals who consume higher amounts of meat and seafood are at greater risk for developing
gout, while higher levels of dairy consumption are associated with a decreased risk.
But diet and nutrition aren't the only ways to keep your joints healthy and strong. If you suffer from joint or musculoskeletal
pain, your doctor of chiropractic can offer you a wide range of treatment options, as well as information on nutrition.
For more on the benefits of chiropractic care and musculoskeletal health, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/musculoskeletal/index.html.
Reference: Hyon KC, Atkinson K, Karlson EW, et al. Purine-rich foods, dairy and protein intake, and
the risk of gout in men. The New England Journal of Medicine 2004;350(11):1093-1103.
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