A low-calorie, low-fat diet appears more beneficial to dieters’ mood than a low-carbohydrate plan with the same number of calories, according to a report in the this week’s issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

“While recent clinical studies have shown that low-carbohydrate diets can be an effective alternative dietary approach for weight loss, their long-term effects on psychological function, including mood and cognition, have been poorly studied,” explain the study’s authors.

The experiment enrolled 106 overweight and obese participants who were an average age of 50. Of these, 55 were assigned to follow a very–low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet and 51 to a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. Both diets included the same amount of calories.

After one year, the overall average weight loss was 13.7 kilograms (about 30.2 pounds), with no difference between the two groups. Both groups initially (after the first eight weeks) experienced an improvement in mood. However, most measurements of mood revealed a lasting improvement in only those following the low-fat diet, while those on the high-fat diet returned to their initial levels.

Archives of Internal Medicine – November 9, 2009 ;169:1873-80.
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/

Why do some people crave chocolate when they are feeling overwhelmed? There is scientific evidence that dark chocolate may lower emotional stress, according to a study published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Proteome Research.

Specifically, researchers found that eating 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in people who reported being highly stressed. Eating dark chocolate also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances.

Journal of Proteome Research – October 7;Epub.
pubs.acs.org/journal/jprobs

Genetics may play a factor in a person’s risk of developing neck or back pain, according to a study in Arthritis & Rheumatism.

The Danish study enrolled 15,328 twins (44% monozygotic and 56% dizygotic), ages 20 to 71 years.

Genetic susceptibility explained about 38% of lumbar pain. In addition, hereditary accounted for 32% of thoracic pain, and 39% of neck pain. Genes played a more significant role in women than in men.

The study’s authors also point out that genetics appear to be the most important factor in predicting the progress of degenerative disc disease. And, that genes play a significant role in predicting both chronic and intermittent pain.

Arthritis & Rheumatism – October 2009;61:1343-51.
www.rheumatology.org

Infants who suffer from colic often experience long-term behavioral problems, even after they recover from the disorder. Fortunately, a new study reveals that chiropractic care doubles a child’s odds of being spared these long-term problems.

The study compared 117 post-colicky toddlers who had received chiropractic care for colic during infancy and 111 post-colicky toddlers who had not received chiropractic care.

The study found that “toddlers who were treated with chiropractic care for colic were twice as likely to not experience long-term sequelae of infant colic, such as temper tantrums … and frequent nocturnal waking …than those who were not treated with chiropractic care as colicky infants.”

“Untreated post-colicky infants demonstrated negative behavioral patterns at 2 to 3 years of age,” conclude the authors. “In this study, parents of infants treated with chiropractic care for excessive crying did not report as many difficult behavioral and sleep patterns of their toddlers. These findings suggest that chiropractic care for infants with colic may have an effect on long-term sequelae.”

JMPT – October 2009;32:635-8.
www.jmptonline.org

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) may be significantly more common than previously reported. Specifically, a new study of 190 people finds that 23% suffered from RLS.

In addition, race may be a factor in RLS. The study found that 36% of white subjects have the condition, compared with 12% of black subjects. Women were also significantly more likely than men to have RLS.

“There are significant ethnic differences in the prevalence of restless legs syndrome, but the exact causes of higher prevalence among Caucasians are unknown,” notes author Dr. Ammar Alkhazna. “This likely reflects a combination of factors, including a genetic predisposition to RLS, diet, including iron intake, medications, and possibly culture.”

“Some risk factors for restless legs syndrome appear to be more common among women,” Dr. Alkhazna adds. “Women are more likely to be iron-deficient than men and have rheumatoid arthritis, which are known risk factors for RLS.”

American College of Chest Physicians – November 2, 2009 .
www.chestnet.org

New research shows that acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be associated with a bolstered risk of asthma and wheezing in both children and adults.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of 19 clinical studies (total subjects = 425,140).

Findings showed that using acetaminophen increased the risk of asthma by 37%.

Results also revealed a slight increase in the risk of asthma and wheezing with prenatal use of acetaminophen by mothers. Researchers speculate that acetaminophen’s lack of inhibition of cyclooxygenase, the key enzyme involved in the inflammatory response of asthma, may be one explanation for the potential link.

Chest – 2009;136:1316-23.
www.chestjournal.org

A case series of 33 patients indicates that chiropractic care may help resolve primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE). The subjects, who were between the ages of 3 and 18 years, were followed for twelve months. During this time they were treated with the NeuroImpulse Protocol chiropractic technique.

Findings showed that 66% of the cases resolved during the study period.

JMPT – October 2009;32:675-81.
www.jmptonline.org

Chiropractic adjustments may help resolve breastfeeding difficulties in newborns.

Researchers looked at 114 cases of infants with breastfeeding problems diagnosed in the hospital or by a lactation consultant.

Upon chiropractic evaluation, “the most common physical findings were cervical posterior joint dysfunction (89%), temporomandibular joint imbalance (36%), and inadequate suck reflex (34%).”

After two weeks of chiropractic care involving 2 to 5 visits, all the babies improved, with 78% being able to breastfeed exclusively.

“Chiropractic treatment may be a useful adjunct to routine care given by other professionals in cases of diagnosed breastfeeding problems with a biomechanical component,” conclude the study’s authors.

JMPT – October 2009;32:670-4.
www.jmptonline.org

Researchers have discovered a link between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and a virus. The virus, known as XMRV, has previously been linked with prostate cancer.

Specifically, the XMRV was detected in the blood of 68 out of 101 (67%) subjects with CFS, compared with 8 out of 218 (3.7%) healthy control subjects. The study’s authors point out that this link does not necessarily mean that XMRV causes CFS. Alternatively, people with CFS may be at a higher risk of contracting XMRV, due to a depressed immune response.