Eating about a handful of pecans each day may play a role in protecting the nervous system, according to a new study in mice.

The report suggests that pecans may delay the progression of age-related motor neuron degeneration. This may include diseases like amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Researchers suggest the antioxidant vitamin E — which is abundant in pecans — may provide a key element to neurological protection. Read the rest of this entry »

A review study, which pooled data on 21 articles involving more than 622,381 people, finds that migraine sufferers have about double the risk of an ischemic stroke, compared with those who don’t suffer from migraines.

The study’s authors urge that people with migraines pay particular attention to other modifiable risk factors of stroke, such as diet, exercise, Read the rest of this entry »

Chiropractic adjustments may trigger changes in paraspinal skin temperature, according to an investigation of 20 individuals with acute low-back pain. 

Ten of the participants received chiropractic adjustments. Ten underwent a sham procedure. Specifically, “in the treatment group, a traditional chiropractic manipulation (lumbar roll technique with a pisiform contact on the ipsilateral mamillary of L5) was delivered, whereas with the sham group, the same technique was used, but no thrust was applied.”

Infrared cameras were used to measure paraspinal skin temperature bilaterally at the L5 level. These measurements were taken 2 minutes before the intervention. They were repeated immediately following the intervention, and again 1, 3, 5 and 10 minutes later. 

Among experimental subjects, skin temperature on the side of the spine receiving the adjustment warmed up by 0.2°F immediately following the adjustment. After 3 minutes, “the treatment side warmed by approximately 0.6°F, whereas the contralateral side (nontreatment side) cooled.” On the other hand, there were no significant changes in skin temperature to either side in control subjects. 

“The effects of a lumbar spine manipulation appear noticeable by changes in paraspinal CT measurements at the level of L5,” conclude the study’s authors. “However, the meaning and mechanisms of CT modifications at L5 are still being investigated.”

JMPT – May 2010;33:308-314.
www.jmptonline.org

Consumption of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in dairy is linked with a lower risk cardiovascular disease. And, milk from grass-fed cows contains significantly more CLAs, compared with milk from grain-fed cattle.

A new Harvard study compared 1,813 people who had suffered a nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) with an equal number of control subjects who had not endured a MI.

Findings showed that participants with the highest concentrations CLA in their fat had a 36% reduced risk of heart attack, compared with individuals with the lowest fat levels of CLA. The study’s authors note that this benefit may more than outweigh the heart-related risks of consuming saturated fat in dairy.

The analysis was conducted in Costa Rica, where traditional pasture-grazing is the norm. The vast majority of dairy — including organic dairy — in the US comes from grain-fed cattle.

AJCN – May 12, 2010;Epub.
www.ajcn.org

Frequent burger consumption may up the risk of asthma, according to a study of 50,000 children. Specifically, children who eat three or more burgers per week have an elevated risk of asthma and wheezing. Conversely, a Mediterranean diet high in fish and fruit appears to prevent asthma.

Curiously, a diet high in any type of meat was not linked with asthma. Consequently, the study’s authors suggest that the link may be due to lifestyle factors, rather than beef itself.

Thorax – June 3, 2010;Epub.
thorax.bmj.com

Ice packs are typically recommended immediately following acute back strain. In contrast, conventional teaching warns that heat may aggravate a new strain, and should be reserved for longer-term injuries. However, little research supports this recommendation. To find out more, researchers looked at 60 patients who visited a hospital emergency room with acute minor back or neck strain. Most of these cases were of back pain.

According to the report, “all patients received 400 mg of ibuprofen orally and then were randomized to 30 minutes of heating pad or cold pack applied to the strained area.” Immediately following the treatment, patients were asked to rate their improvement. Both groups reported “mild yet similar improvement in the pain severity.” And, “there were no between-group differences in the desire for and administration of additional analgesia.”

The study authors point out that these results only reflect immediate benefit, they did not follow-up after the initial treatment.

Academic Emergency Medicine – May 2010;17:484-89.
www.interscience.wiley.com

New research indicates that early use of Paracetamol (Tylenol®) and antibiotics may trigger eczema in children. The study pooled data on 13,908 children between the ages of 6 and 7 years. Of these, 7% had eczema. Parents were asked about the children’s paracetamol and antibiotic consumption during the first year of life.

Results revealed that “early exposure to paracetamol or to antibiotics is associated with an increased prevalence of eczema at school age.” Specifically, paracetamol use during the first year of life was associated with a 56% increased risk of eczema. Antibiotic use was linked with a 66% higher risk.

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology – April 20, 2010 ;Epub.
www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118512964/home

Stainless steal rods and screws are used in the common scoliosis surgery known as instrumented spinal arthrodesis. However, the stainless steal implants may expose patients to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals, say scientists.

The researchers conducted blood tests on three groups of people. Group 1 included 30 patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis for scoliosis. Group 2 included 10 individuals with scoliosis who did not have surgery. Group 3 included 10 people without scoliosis.

Results revealed that “elevated above normal serum chromium levels were demonstrated in 11 of 30 (37%) group 1 participants. Elevated serum chromium levels were demonstrated in 0 of 10 participants (0%) in group 2 and 1 of 10 (10%) in group 3.”

The article concludes that “this new finding has relatively unknown health implications but potential mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic sequelae. This is especially concerning with most scoliosis patients being adolescent females with their reproductive years ahead.”

Spine – April, 2010;35:967-74
www.spinejournal.com 

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is proposing a new set of diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia to replace the “tender point” criteria. The new guidelines, which are published in the current issue of Arthritis Care & Research, include common symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive problems, as well as pain.

To meet the previous diagnostic criteria, which were established in 1990, patients must have widespread pain in all four quadrants of their body for a minimum duration of three months and experience moderate pain and tenderness at a minimum of 11 of the 18 specified tender points.

“These new criteria recognize that fibromyalgia is more than just body pain,” explains study coauthor Robert S. Katz. “This is a big deal for patients who suffer symptoms but have had no diagnosis. A definite diagnosis can lead to more focused and successful treatment and reducing the stress of the unknown.”

“There are numerous shortcomings with the previous criteria, which didn’t take into account the importance of common symptoms including significant fatigue, a lack of mental clarity and forgetfulness, sleep problems and an impaired ability to function doing normal activities,” said Katz.

According to Katz, fibromyalgia pain may fluctuate, which can affect the number of tender points, and the tender point test did not adequately measure symptom severity or the effectiveness of new treatments. “The tender point test also has a gender bias because men may report widespread pain, but they generally aren’t as tender as women.

Arthritis Care & Research – May 2010;62:Epub.
www.arthritiscareres.org

A meta-analysis concludes that in-school scoliosis screenings are insufficient.

The study’s authors explain that “the use of school scoliosis screening is controversial, and its clinical effectiveness has been diversely reported.” Consequently, they pooled data from 36 scientific inquiries on the topic.

“Studies were included if: (1) they adopted a retrospective cohort design; (2) were screened using either the forward bending test (FBT), angle of trunk rotation, or Moiré topography; (3) reported results of screening tests and radiographic assessments; (4) screened adolescents only; (5) reported the incidence of curves with a minimum Cobb angle of 10° or greater; and (6) reported the number of referrals for radiography. Reviews, comments, case studies, and editorials were excluded.”

Overall, 5% of the students were referred for radiography. And, “the pooled positive predictive values for detecting curves ?10°, curves ?20°, and treatment were 28.0%, 5.6%, and 2.6%, respectively.” Compared with programs using other tests, those using FBT alone were significantly more problematic.

“The use of the FBT alone in school scoliosis screening is insufficient,” conclude the study’s authors. “We need large, retrospective cohort studies with sufficient follow-up to properly assess the clinical effectiveness of school scoliosis screening.”

Spine – May 1, 2010;35:1061-71.
www.spinejournal.com