Natural Standard Blog

Playing in the Dirt vs. Antidepressants

Exposure to friendly soil bacteria may be just as effective as antidepressant drugs, a new study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK found that certain soil bacteria may improve mood by boosting the immune system.

In the study, mice were exposed to a harmless soil microbe called Mycobacterium vaccae and then performed a behavioral task commonly used to test the efficacy of antidepressant drugs. The mice were placed in a large beaker of water for five minutes and watched to see how long they continued swimming and searching for an exit before giving up. The researchers found that the bacteria-exposed mice continued paddling around much longer than the control mice.

Mice given antidepressant drugs also appear more determined to escape, noted researchers. These results are comparable to a medical trial conducted a few years ago in which human cancer patients treated with the bacteria reported significant increases in their quality of life.

Researchers explained that while M. vaccae is no longer being pursued as a treatment for cancer because it didn't prolong life, patients did report increases in things like vitality and cognitive function and decreases in pain.

The researchers suggested that the microbes affect the brain indirectly by causing immune cells to release chemicals called cytokines, which may activate the nerves that relay signals from the body to the brain.

The stimulated nerves cause certain neurons in the brain to release a chemical called serotonin into the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain known to be involved in mood regulation, among other things. A lack of serotonin in the brain is thought to cause depression in people.

Researchers concluded that the new finding take this idea, called the "hygiene hypothesis," a step further suggesting bacteria-exposure not only boosts the immune system, but also alters vulnerability to conditions such as depression as well.

For more information about integrative therapies for depression, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.

Hormone-Related Supplements and Breast Cancer

Researchers recently examined the effects of hormone-related supplements (HRS) on breast cancer risk and found that black cohosh may help manage menopausal symptoms and prevent breast cancer.

Researchers from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia evaluated whether use of HRS was associated with breast cancer risk, using a population-based case-control study in three counties of the Philadelphia metropolitan area consisting of 949 breast cancer cases and 1,524 controls.

Use of HRS varied significantly by race, with African American women being more likely than European American women to use any herbal preparation (19.2 percent vs. 14.7 percent), as well as specific preparations including black cohosh (5.4 percent vs. 2.0 percent), ginseng (12.5 percent vs. 7.9 percent) and red clover (4.7 percent vs. 0.6 percent).

The researchers found that use of black cohosh had a significant breast cancer protective effect. This association was similar among women who reported use of either black cohosh or Remifemin®, an herbal preparation derived from black cohosh. The literature reports that black cohosh may be effective in treating menopausal symptoms, and has antiestrogenic, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties.

Researchers concluded that additional confirmatory studies are required to determine whether black cohosh could be used to prevent breast cancer.

For more information about black cohosh, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Vitamin K for Patients with Blood Clots

Vitamin K supplementation may improve anticoagulation (preventing blood clots) control in patients with unexplained instability of response to the popular anticoagulant, warfarin, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Newcastle University in the UK explained that patients receiving warfarin who have unstable control of anticoagulation have a significantly lower intake of dietary vitamin K compared with their stable counterparts.

Researchers hypothesized that supplementation with oral vitamin K would improve stability in patients with previously unstable control of anticoagulation. In the study, 70 warfarin-treated patients with unstable anticoagulation control were randomly assigned in a double-blinded fashion to receive a daily amount of 150 mug oral vitamin K or placebo by mouth for six months.

Measures of stability of anticoagulation control in the six-month study period were compared with those in the six months immediately prior to it. Researchers found that vitamin K supplementation resulted in a significantly greater decrease in standard deviation of international normalized ratio (INR) compared with placebo and a significantly greater increase in percentage time within target INR range.

Additionally, anticoagulation control improved in 33 of 35 (94 percent) patients receiving vitamin K supplementation; of these, 19 fulfilled the criteria for having stable control of anticoagulation. However, only 24 of 33 (72 percent) patients receiving placebo demonstrated some degree of improvement, with only seven patients fulfilling the criteria for having stable control.

Researchers concluded that concomitant supplementation of vitamin K, perhaps through reducing the relative day-to-day variability in dietary vitamin K intake, may significantly improve anticoagulation control in patients with unexplained instability of response to warfarin.

For more information about vitamin K, please visit Natural Standard’s Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Dietary Fiber and Colon Cancer

The role of dietary fiber in the prevention of colorectal (referring to the rectum and colon) cancer is unclear, according to the results of a new study.

Researchers from the Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute in Nagoya, Japan examined the association of dietary fiber with the risk of colorectal cancer in a population with a high incidence of cancer and a low fiber intake.

In the study, scientists analyzed the data from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. From 1988 to 1990, 43,115 men and women aged 40 to 79 years completed a questionnaire on dietary intake and other factors. Intake of dietary fiber was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire. Rate ratios (RR) were computed by fitting proportional hazards models. During the mean follow-up of 7.6 years, 443 colorectal cancer cases were recorded.

In all participants, researchers found a decreasing trend in risk of colorectal cancer with increasing intake of total dietary fiber; the multivariate-adjusted RRs across quartiles were 1.00, 0.96, 0.72 and 0.73. This trend was exclusively detected for colon cancer: the corresponding RRs were 1.00, 0.90, 0.56 and 0.58.

The decrease in RRs with increasing intake of dietary fiber was larger in men than in women. No material differences appeared in the strength of associations with the risk between water-soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. For food sources of fiber, bean fiber intake was somewhat inversely correlated with colorectal cancer risk.

Researchers concluded that there may be potential protective effects of dietary fiber against colorectal cancer, mainly against colon cancer. However, the role of dietary fiber in the prevention of colorectal cancer seems to remain inconsistent, and further investigations in various populations are warranted.

For more information about integrative therapies for colorectal cancer, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

Selenium and Skin Wounds in Organ Transplant Patients

Selenium supplementation may have no effect on the prevention of skin lesions associated with organ transplants, a new study reports.

Researchers in Europe explained that organ graft recipients have a high rate of pre-cancerous and cancerous epithelial lesions (skin wounds). Selenium directly influences the number of Langer-hans cells. Selenium is a trace mineral found in soil, water and some foods. It is an essential element in several metabolic pathways.

In several studies selenium has shown to help prevent various cancers. Researchers investigated whether it could prevent skin cancer linked to human papilloma virus (HPV).

A multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study in 184 recent organ transplant recipients was undertaken. Patients were treated for three years with 200 μg/day selenium (91 patients) or a matching placebo (93 patients), and then monitored for two years.

Occurrence rates of warts and various keratoses (main criterion) and of skin cancers (secondary criterion) were compared in the two groups, using Kaplan-Meyer analyses. There was no difference between the two groups for the main criterion or the secondary criterion. When both arms were pooled, phenotype and age were not found to be discriminatory factors, whereas a previous history of an actinic keratosis significantly increased the risk of developing a skin cancer by 17.5 percent. Safety was good and similar in both groups.

Researchers concluded that selenium was not shown to prevent the occurrence of skin lesions linked to HPV. The occurrence of skin cancer was higher if there had been a previous actinic keratosis, highlighting the importance of early dermatological follow-up of the transplanted population. This was demonstrated by the high rate of epithelial lesions detected, which was more than twice the rate usually reported in the literature.

For more information about selenium, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Forskolin for Urinary Tract Infections

Forskolin, an herbal medicine made from the Asiatic coleus plant, may help treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to the results of a new study.

Forskolin, a root extract from Coleus forskohlii, has been used for a long time in traditional Asian systems of medicine to treat angina, asthma, bronchitis, epilepsy, insomnia, painful micturation, skin rashes and a wide range of digestive problems. Numerous studies on forskolin have been conducted since the 1970s. Basic science research has revealed several properties of forskolin, which are promising for clinical use.

Researchers from Duke University tested forskolin in female mice with bladder infections caused by E. coli bacteria, which cause most UTIs.

Twenty-four hours after the mice were infected with E. coli, the researchers injected forskolin directly into the mice's bladders or their bellies. For comparison, the scientists injected saltwater into the bladders of other female mice with E. coli bladder infections.

The study found that one day after treatment, the mice in the forskolin group had less E. coli bacteria in their bladders than the mice that received the saltwater shot. Additionally, the forskolin group had lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in their urine.

Researchers also noted that antibiotics get rid of most bacteria that cause UTIs, but some bacteria may hide in the bladder's lining. Forskolin may force those hidden bacteria out of the bladder's lining, where antibiotics could target them.

For more information about integrative therapies for urinary tract infections (UTIs), please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

Religion, Spirituality and Health

Most U.S. doctors believe that religion and spirituality play an important role in influencing patients' health, a new review reports.

Researchers from the University of Chicago explained that despite a substantial body of empirical data, professional disagreement persists regarding whether and how religion and spirituality (R/S) influence health. The study examined the association between physicians' religious characteristics and their observations and interpretations of the influence of R/S on health. 

A cross-sectional survey was mailed to a stratified, random sample of 2,000 practicing U.S. physicians from all specialties. Physicians were asked to estimate how often patients mention R/S issues, how much R/S influences health and in what ways the influence is manifested. 

Sixty-three percent of the physicians responded to the survey. Fifty-six percent of the physicians reported that they believed R/S had much or very much influence on health, while only six percent reported that they believed R/S often changed "hard" medical outcomes. Rather, 76 percent of physicians reported that they believed R/S often helps patients cope, 75 percent said R/S gives patients a positive state of mind and 55 percent said R/S provides emotional and practical support via the religious community.

Physicians with high religiosity were substantially more likely to report that patients often mention R/S issues (36 percent verses 11 percent), to believe that R/S strongly influences health (82 percent verses 16 percent) and to interpret the influence of R/S in positive rather than negative ways. 

Researchers concluded that patients are likely to encounter quite different opinions about the relationship between their R/S and their health, depending on the religious characteristics of their physicians.

For more information about prayer and distant healing, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

Lutein for Inflammation

A new study investigated the anti-inflammatory role of lutein, a nutrient found in dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Other dietary sources that contain moderate amounts of lutein include corn, egg yolks and fruits like oranges and kiwi.

Researchers from Rutgers Cook College in New Jersey explained that although a number of in vivo studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of lutein, its in vitro anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of action is unknown.

The study investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of lutein using LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The inhibition of LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) was measured and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was assessed at the mRNA and protein levels in mouse macrophage cells after treatment with lutein.

The study found that lutein decreased the LPS-induced NO production by 50 percent, compared to LPS alone. Real-time PCR analysis showed a 1.9-fold reduction in iNOS expression at the mRNA level. Western blotting revealed that lutein decreased LPS-induced iNOS expression at the protein level by 72.5 percent.

Researchers concluded that the anti-inflammatory properties of lutein are demonstrated by the decrease in the expression of iNOS at the mRNA and protein levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.

Lutein (LOO-teen) (from Latin lutea meaning "yellow") is one of over 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. Lutein is employed by organisms as an antioxidant and for blue light absorption. Lutein is covalently bound to one or more fatty acids present in some fruits and flowers, notably marigolds (Tagetes).

For the past decade, lutein has been marketed in the dietary supplement market as a nutrient to reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration (ADM).

For more information about integrative therapies for inflammation, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database.

Mediterranean Diet for Allergies in Children?

A Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables and nuts may help prevent allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms in children, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Venezelion General Hospital in Greece, Royal Brompton Hospital in the United Kingdom, the University of Crete in Greece, the Centre for Research and Environmental Epidemiology in Spain and the Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart and Lung Institute in London explained that atopy (inherited allergy) is relatively common among children living in rural Crete. However, wheezing and rhinitis (hay fever) are rare.

In the study, researchers examined whether this discrepancy could be attributed to a high consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables or adherence to a traditional Mediterranean diet.

A cross-sectional survey was performed in 690 children aged 7-18 years in rural Crete. Parents completed a questionnaire on their children’s respiratory and allergic symptoms, and a 58-item food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet was measured with a scale on 12 dietary items. Children underwent skin prick tests with 10 common airborne allergens.

The study found that 80 percent of children ate fresh fruit, and 68 percent ate vegetables at least twice a day. The intake of grapes, oranges, apples and fresh tomatoes – the main local products in Crete – had no association with atopy, but they were protective against wheezing and rhinitis.

High consumption of nuts was found to be inversely associated with wheezing, whereas margarine increased the risk of both wheeze and allergic rhinitis. A high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was protective against allergic rhinitis, while a more modest protection was observed for wheezing and atopy. 

Study authors concluded that the data suggest a beneficial effect of commonly consumed fruits, vegetables and nuts, and of a high adherence to a traditional Mediterranean diet during childhood on symptoms of asthma and rhinitis. Diet may explain the relative lack of allergic symptoms in this population

For more information about the Mediterranean diet, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

FDA: Zelnorm® Unsafe

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation of East Hanover, New Jersey, voluntarily discontinue marketing Zelnorm® (tegaserod) because patients who take the drug may have an increased risk of developing heart problems. Novartis agreed to voluntarily suspend marketing of the drug in the United States.

According to the FDA press release, Zelnorm® is a prescription medicine that was approved in July 2002 for short-term treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women whose primary symptom is constipation. It was subsequently approved in August 2004 for the treatment of chronic constipation for men and women younger than 65 years old. Zelnorm® is marketed in 55 countries.

The FDA is currently advising patients who are using Zelnorm® to contact their healthcare providers to discuss treatment alternatives. Additionally, patients who are taking Zelnorm® should seek emergency medical care if they experience severe chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, sudden onset of weakness or difficulty walking or talking or other symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Throughout February and March 2007, Novartis reported the results of a new analysis of 29 short-term (one to three months) randomized, controlled clinical trials of Zelnorm® to the FDA. The analysis included more than 11,600 patients treated with Zelnorm® and over 7,000 patients treated with placebo. The data showed that the risk of serious heart-related side effects like chest pain, heart attack and stroke with the use of Zelnorm® is higher than with placebo treatment. Thirteen Zelnorm®-treated patients (or 0.1 percent) experience heart problems, compared with only one patient in the placebo group (or 0.01 percent). Based on these results, the FDA concluded that the benefits of this drug no longer outweigh the risks for most patients.

The FDA announced that it will work with Novartis to allow access to Zelnorm® as an investigational drug for patients who have no other treatment options. In such cases, the benefits may outweigh the risks. The FDA is also considering re-introducing Zelnorm® in the future, if a specific patient population can be identified in which the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks. Any such proposal would be the subject of a public advisory committee meeting before an FDA decision.

In another press release, Novartis announced that it is complying with an FDA request to suspend marketing of Zelnorm®. Novartis reported that the side effects occurred primarily in patients who had pre-existing heart disease and/or heart-related risk factors and insisted that there is no demonstrated causal relationship between Zelnorm® and these events.

Still, Novartis recommends that patients who are taking Zelnorm® speak with their healthcare providers about alternative treatment options. Also, patients can return any unused and unexpired Zelnorm® tablets to Novartis for reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs. More information can be obtained by calling the Novartis Customer Interaction Center at 888.NOW.NOVA (888.669.6682).

For information about integrative therapies for  irritable bowel syndrome  or constipation, please visit Natural Standard's  Condition Center database.