Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (J Nutr Environ Med )

Publications in this journal

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  Available from: encognitive.com

  Article: Pharmacokinetics of oral vitamin C

  Stephen Hickey, Hilary J Roberts, Nicholas, J Miller
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  ABSTRACT: Purpose. To test whether plasma vitamin C levels, following oral doses in supplemented volunteers, are tightly controlled and subject to a maximum in the region of 220 mM L 21 , as suggested by previous researchers for depleted subjects. To determine plasma levels following single, variable-sized doses of standard and liposomal formulations of vitamin C and compare the effects of the different formulations. To determine whether plasma levels above ,280 mM L 21 , which have selectively killed cancer, bacteria or viruses (in laboratory experiments), can be achieved using oral doses of vitamin C. Design. This was a single blind study, measuring plasma levels in two subjects, in samples taken half-hourly or hourly for 6 hours, following ingestion of vitamin C. Data were compared with published results and with data from 10 years of laboratory plasma determinations. Materials and methods. Standard 1 gram tablets of vitamin C; liposomal vitamin C. Plasma levels were analysed using the method of Butts and Mulvihill. Results. Preliminary investigations of the effects of liposomal and standard formulation ascorbate showed that blood plasma levels in excess of the previously assumed maximum of 220 mM L 21 are possible. Large oral doses of liposomal ascorbate resulted in plasma levels above 400 mM L 21 . Conclusions. Since a single oral dose can produce plasma levels in excess of 400 mM L 21 , pharmacokinetic theory suggests that repeated doses could sustain levels well above the formerly assumed maximum. These results have implications for the use of ascorbate, as a nutrient and as a drug. For example, a short in vitro treatment of human Burkitt's lymphoma cells with ascorbate, at 400 mM L 21 , has been shown to result in ,50% cancer cell death. Using frequent oral doses, an equivalent plasma level could be sustained indefinitely. Thus, oral vitamin C has potential for use as a non-toxic, sustainable, therapeutic agent. Further research into the experimental and therapeutic aspects of high, frequent, oral doses of ascorbic acid either alone or (for cancer therapy) in combination with synergistic substances, such as alpha-lipoic acid, copper or vitamin K3, is needed urgently.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 17(3).
• Article: Tobacco Smoking in Relation to the Phenotype of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin and Serum Vitamin C Concentration

  Praneet Pongpaew, Rungsunn Tungtrongchitr, Benjaluck Phonrat, Niyomsri Vudhivai, Duangkamol Viroonudomphol, Frank Peter Schelp
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  ABSTRACT: Purpose: To investigate the effects of tobacco smoking on serum alpha-1-antitrypsin (AT) concentrations in relation to the Pi types of AT (MM and non-MM phenotypes) and vitamin C concentrations in the serum of Thai smokers and non-smokers. Design: Cross-sectional study of smokers and non-smokers in a military unit in Bangkok, Thailand. Materials and Methods: 123 male smokers and 66 male non-smokers were randomly selected from a military unit in Bangkok. Venous blood was analysed by rocket immunoelectrophoresis for AT concentrations. AT phenotype and vitamin C status were determined by iso-electrofocusing (IEF) and spectro-photometric methods. Co-variance analysis was used to determine whether smoking directly influences AT levels. Results: There were statistically significantly higher levels of serum AT and thiocyanate concentrations in smokers than in non-smokers. The thiocyanate level correlated with the duration and quantity of cigarette smoking. However, vitamin C, an antioxidant, was found with statistically significantly lower concentrations in smokers compared with non-smokers. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the increase of AT concentrations in smokers is an immediate response of the organism to limit the damaging effects of smoking on lung tissue, while the decrease of the antioxidant vitamin C relates to the long-term risk of smokers developing cancer.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 11(3):167-173.
• Article: Chemical Sensitivity

  Damien Downing
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 11(3):157-158.
• Article: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity--An Extreme Case of a Universal Condition

  C. E. Mellish
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  ABSTRACT: The hypothesis is advanced that when a living organism is exposed to a toxic chemical, the appropriate detoxifying reactions will not take place unless the toxic stimulus is above a certain threshold level. It is proposed that exposures below this level give rise to the phenomena of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Supporting arguments are given based on thermodynamics and biological parallels, and it is shown that the idea gives simple explanations for some of the paradoxical symptomatology of MCS. MCS is described as the complement of allergy, and it is suggested that the theory could lead to new approaches to the treatment of MCS.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 11(1):63-67.
• Article: Boron and Arthritis: The Results of a Double-blind Pilot Study

  Richard L. Travers, George C. Rennie, Rex E. Newnham
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  ABSTRACT: This report describes the conduct and results of a double-blind trial comparing oral intake of 6 mg of boron per day to placebo in the treatment of arthritis. The results indicate that boron may well be beneficial. Of the 10 patients on boron, five improved and five did not, but only one of the 10 patients on the placebo improved. This was essentially a pilot trial which showed that a small quantity of boron would greatly relieve severe osteo-arthritis. Of those starting the trial, 50% using boron improved as compared with 10% on placebo; or if we consider those who completed the trial, 71% improved while using boron. There were no side-effects and these were sought. The indication is that boron (as sodium tetraborate decahydrate) are safe and beneficial in the treatment of osteo-arthritis and that further research is required.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 1(2):127-132.
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  Available from: mineralresourcesint.co.uk

  Article: Scientific and Ethical Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Part 1—Evolution, Adaptation and Health

  Stephen Davies
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  ABSTRACT: This article is the first in a series attempting to put into the clinical medical context an awareness of the nutritional, environmental, psychological, cultural, technical and industrial influences on health, and to put our perception of patients into the context of the evolutionary progress of Homo sapiens. It will highlight some of the theoretical, scientific and ethical aspects of current medical practice, with specific relevance to nutritional medicine and will focus on the importance of nutrient status in modulating adaptive responses.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 2(3):227-247.
• Article: The Autism Epidemic, Vaccinations, and Mercury

  Bernard Rimland
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 10(4):261-266.
• Article: The Safe Use of Vitamin B6

  Alan R. Gaby
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  ABSTRACT: During the past several decades, there have been numerous reports on the efficacy of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) in the treatment of a wide range of clinical conditions. Gaby has hypothesized that the proliferation of environmental pollutants and food additives that are known or suspected to interfere with vitamin B6 metabolism has created a new epidemic of vitamin B6 deficiency and greatly broadened the spectrum of pyridoxine-responsive disorders [1]. In addition to its classical indications, such as pyridoxine-responsive anemia and certain inborn errors of vitamin B6 metabolism, pyridoxine is now being prescribed by some practitioners for patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, premenstrual syndrome, toxemia of pregnancy, carpal tunnel syndrome, urolithiasis, sickle cell disease, certain types of depression and arthritis, attention deficit disorder and asthma. Until recently, pyridoxine was considered perfectly safe, even in extremely large doses. Consequently, there was little concern that some individuals were taking, either by prescription or by self-medication, amounts many hundreds of times greater than the Recommended Dietary Allowance. However, reports of neurotoxocity in persons ingesting megadoses of this vitamin necessitated a re-evaluation of its safety. Some observers have over-reacted, concluding that pyridoxine is a dangerous vitamin that should never be used for ‘unproven’ indications; others have recognized that anything can be toxic in large enough doses. Given its clinical value, pyridoxine therapy should not be abandoned, merely because there is some risk in huge doses. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on pyridoxine neurotoxicity, as well as other less serious potential side effects.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 1(2):153-157.
• Article: Dietary Benzo(a)pyrene and 1,2-Benzanthracene Levels in an Endemic Upper Gastrointestinal (Oesophageal and Gastric) Cancer Region of Turkey

  M. Kürşad Türkdog˘an MD, Gürdal Dag˘og˘lu, Nevzat Akman, Mustafa Alişarli, Ilyas Tuncer, Ismail Uygan
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  ABSTRACT: Background: In eastern Turkey, upper gastrointestinal (oesophageal and gastric) cancers are endemic and dietary factors play an essential role in carcinogenesis. Design: Laboratory analysis of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and 1,2-benzanthracene (BA) levels in a range of cooked foods in use in the Van region. Materials and Methods: BP and BA levels (ppb) in bread and cooked meat samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. An analysis of variance and the multitest were used. Results: The mean BP level was highest in bread baked in a bakery using fuel oil (3.32 ppb), followed by bread baked in an oven burning dried dung, fatty pizza cooked using a wood fire and meat roasted on a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fire (2.51, 2.37 and 2.32 ppb, respectively; p>0.05). The mean BP level in bread baked in a bakery using fuel oil was significantly higher than that in meat roasted in an oven burning dried dung, bread baked in an oven using wood fire and meat cooked using a wood fire (2.03, 1.54 and 1.39 ppb, respectively, p<0.01). Mean BA levels were highest in bread baked in an oven burning dried dung and bread baked in a bakery using fuel oil (1.06 and 1.04 ppb, respectively), followed by meat roasted using a LPG fire, fatty pizza cooked using a wood fire and meat roasted in an oven burning dried cow dung (0.91, 0.77 and 0.73 ppb, respectively, p>0.05). The mean BA levels in bread baked in an oven burning dried dung and bread baked in a bakery using fuel oil were significantly higher than those in bread baked in an oven using a wood fire and meat cooked using a wood fire (0.55 and 0.55 ppb, respectively, p<0.01). The mean BP levels were two to three times more elevated than the mean BA levels in all food samples. Conclusions: These findings reveal the carcinogenic role of traditional foods baked or cooked using animal manure or fuel oil in the Van region because of high BP and BA levels.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 13(2):103-108.
• Article: Hormones and Cancer: Breast/Ovarian Cancer and Genetic Susceptibility

  MICHAEL STEEL
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  ABSTRACT: There are good biological reasons for concern about the influence of oral contraceptives and/or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Despite the widespread and growing use of exogenous hormones, epidemiological data are deficient, especially in relation to prolonged ( 10 years) use of combined oestrogen/ progestagen preparations. Most studies suggest that the relative risk of breast cancer, in particular, is increased by use of both oral contraceptives and HRT, that risk increases with duration of use and that it may be higher for combined preparations. It is uncertain whether a pre-existing high genetic risk of breast cancer is compounded by use of exogenous hormones. This is a serious issue since a small relative increase in a large risk will have a major effect.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 8(2):169-176.
• Article: T Lymphocyte Memory in Non-mammary Silicone Encounters

  D. Radford Shanklin, David L. Smalley, Mary Frances Hall
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  ABSTRACT: Purpose: To study the effect of injected or implanted silicones other than mammary devices on siloxane T H cell immune memory by lymphoblast transformation. Design: Study of 43 individuals with silicone implants compared with controls. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two men and 21 women, injected or implanted with silicones other than mammary devices, were tested for siloxane T H cell immune memory by lymphoblast transformation. They received an arm muscle implant, block silicone as bone grafts, penile and testicular devices, silicone-containing temporomandibular joint prostheses, silicone-sheathed cardiac pacemaker wires, chin implants, toe replacements, tissue injections, or heavy industrial exposure. The control subjects were drawn from the medical center staff. Concanavalin A (Con A) was the mitogenic control. Results: The mean stimulation indexes for the Con A control were 269.78 - 30.24 (subjects) and 284.17 - 39.18 (controls), p = 0.3857, not significant. The mean stimulation index for siloxane was 104.44 - 13.66 for subjects, against 4.47 - 0.75 for controls, p < 0.0001, highly significant. Conclusions: Injection of silicones or non-mammary silicone device implantation has the immunogenic potential and consequences seen after exposure to mammary devices.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 12(2):101-106.
• Article: Flavonoids and Other Plant Phenols in the Diet: Their Significance as Antioxidants

  Nicholas J. Miller, M. Begoña Ruiz-Larrea
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  ABSTRACT: Phenols are universal components of plant material. Flavonoids are polyphenolic constituents of the diet with antioxidant properties by virtue of the structural arrangements and hydrogen-donating potential of their phenolic groups. The ability of specific phenolics to chelate transition metal ions is also of significance. In vitro , the antioxidant activity of the aglycone forms of these polyphenols is, in the main, greater than that of vitamin E and vitamin C. In the diet they are present principally as glycosylated, esterified or polymerized derivatives. Many factors, such as the extent of their gastrointestinal absorption, metabolism (possibly into derivatives with enhanced activity) and interaction with target cells, affect the bioavailability and activity of dietary polyphenols. The balance between beneficial and detrimental effects after their consumption is thus somewhat unpredictable. The possible sites at which these compounds might act as significant dietary micronutrient antioxidants are: (1) in food, during storage and cooking; (2) in the gut, sparing ascorbic acid and f -tocopherol from oxidative decomposition during digestion; and (3) after absorption into the plasma and tissues, where they may be active either as the glycosylated or aglycone flavonoid or as their constituent hydroxybenzoic or hydroxycinnamic acids, depending on their bioavailability and metabolism. These mechanisms may explain the epidemiological association between high dietary flavonoid content and low incidence of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 12(1):39-51.
• Article: Scientific and Ethical Foundations of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Part II: Further Glimpses of ‘the Higher Medicine’

  Stephen Davies
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 5(1):5-11.
• Article: Functional neuroimaging for clinical evaluation of mild‐to‐moderate toxic encephalopathic brain disease: A study of seven patients

  Phillip Epstein, Pauline Harding, Lukasz Konopka, Luke Curtis
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  ABSTRACT: Purpose. Numerous studies have found that exposures to neurotoxins such as solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, carbon monoxide and mycotoxins can cause many neuropsychiatric deficits. Neuropsychological test batteries are often useful in diagnosing and treating neurotoxin exposed patients; however, these batteries have a number of shortcomings. Increasingly, brain scans with SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) are being used to diagnose neurotoxin‐exposed patients. The purpose of this study is to measure specific regional brain functional findings with SPECT on seven patients with various encephalopathic diseases and occupational and/or environmental chemical exposure. Design. Case series. Methods and materials. Detailed exposure/occupational histories were made of seven patients exposed to neurotoxins. Some patients had possible confounding factors such as a past history of alcohol abuse or mild trauma brain injury. SPECT scans were taken with a triple headed SPECT camera on patients injected with 99Tc‐HMPAO and brain blood perfusion was analysed digitally by the Hermes BRASS system. Results. A variety of significant hypoperfusion defects were seen in brain SPECT scans in six of these patients including frontal, parietal and cerebellar regions as well as thalamic hyperperfusion seen in six patients. Conclusions. With additional research and analytical refinement, SPECT studies have the potential to become an important tool for the differential diagnosis and treatment of encephalopathic patients with toxic chemical exposure.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 17(3):148-156.
• Article: Does Milk Cause Coronary Heart Disease?

  Margaret Moss
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  ABSTRACT: Purpose: To investigate the evidence linking coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths with milk consumption, and the evidence against such a link. Design: Literature-based review, together with some statistical analysis. Materials and Methods: Analysis of data from a Medline search and standard statistical sources. Results: Several studies have been published showing a high positive correlation between milk consumption in different countries and rates of death a few years later from CHD. One investigation showed that countries which reduced milk consumption later had reduced rates of CHD death, while the only country studied which increased its milk consumption had an increased rate of CHD death. A variety of possible reasons for a link between milk and CHD have been suggested. On the other hand, several studies of smaller groups of people suggest that milk does not correlate with CHD. These studies have serious weaknesses. In no case was there any attempt to find the total exposure to milk, in all foods and drinks. In some studies, age and social class were ignored. One study, widely quoted as showing that CHD is not caused by milk consumption, was actually concerned with strokes. However, CHD deaths are negatively correlated with deaths from strokes. The Masai drink much milk, but it is fermented. They do have atherosclerosis but rarely die of CHD because of the large lumen of their arteries, and probably because few live long enough. A reason why affluent countries tend to have a higher incidence of CHD may be that people susceptible to CHD are the same as those susceptible to infection. In poorer countries, they tend to die of infection before they would have died of heart disease. These susceptible people may be those with clinical or subclinical degrees of hypothyroidism. Conclusions: Milk consumption does appear to be strongly related to CHD death in communities where susceptible people live long enough. Research into the diets of large numbers of people could usefully be preceded by sampling the questions on a subgroup to determine if the data collected will give accurate information on total milk consumption. A randomized controlled study on the effects of a milk-free diet on people with angina would be worthwhile.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 12(3):207-216.
• Article: Assessment of Zinc Status and Oral Supplementation in Anorexia Nervosa

  Neil I. Ward
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  ABSTRACT: A number of elements (Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Mg, V, Zn) were assessed in five tissue and fluid samples collected from a group of anorexia nervosa patients (n = 15), and control (n = 15) age-matched female individuals. Analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in zinc content (anorexic < control) was seen in whole blood, blood serum, plasma, urine and washed scalp hair (with a positive correlation between matrices).
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 1(3):171-177.
• Article: Association of obesity with worsened prehospital cardiac arrest

  Rade B. Vukmir
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  ABSTRACT: Background. This study evaluated a potential correlation between patient age, body weight and survival from prehospital cardiac arrest, as a secondary endpoint in a study evaluating the effect of bicarbonate on survival. Design. A prospective, randomized, double‐blinded clinical intervention trial. Methods. 874 prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients in a prehospital urban, suburban, and rural regional emergency medical service (EMS) area were used. This group underwent conventional Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) intervention followed by empiric early administration of sodium bicarbonate (1 mEq/L). Survival was measured as presence of vital signs on ED survival. Data was analyzed utilizing Student's t‐test, Fisher's exact test, Chi‐square with Pearson correlation and logistic regression (p<0.05). Results. The overall survival rate was 13.9% (110 of 793) of prehospital arrest patients. There was no significant difference between the control and bicarbonate groups for patient age (67.7 versus 67.4 years, p = 0.769) and body weight (87.9 versus 89.7 kg, p = 0.508). There was no difference in outcome associated with age for non‐survivors or survivors (67.3 versus 67.5 years, p = 0.943). However, a significant difference in total body weight (TBW) was noted between non‐survivors and survivors (84.9±27.3 kg versus 77.3±21.4 kg, p<0.002). Conclusion. There is a significant adverse association between body weight and outcome, but no association between advanced age and prehospital survival.
  Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 07/2009; 15(1):1-8.