Low cholesterol levels linked with depression

This study was published in the African Journal of Psychiatry 2012 Jan;15(1):25-9

Study title and authors:
Elevated plasma homocysteine in association with decreased vitamin B(12), folate, serotonin, lipids and lipoproteins in depressed patients.

Ebesunun MO, Eruvulobi HU, Olagunju T, Owoeye OA.
Chemical Pathology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria. onoebe@yahoo.com

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22344759

The study investigated the relationship between various blood measurements and depression. The study included 30 depressed patients and 30 healthy volunteers.

The study found:
(a) Cholesterol levels were 42% lower in depressed patients compared to healthy volunteers.
(b) High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were 42% lower in depressed patients compared to healthy volunteers.
(c) Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were 46% lower in depressed patients compared to healthy volunteers.
(d) Vitamin B12 levels were 21% lower in depressed patients compared to healthy volunteers. (Vitamin B12 can only be found in foods of animal origin, the richest sources are: Oyster's, mussel's, clam's, beef liver, trout, salmon, beef, pork, egg and chicken).
(e) Homocysteine levels were 116% higher in depressed patients compared to healthy volunteers. (High homocysteine levels are associated with deficiencies of vitamins B6, B9 (folate) and B12. The best sources of vitamin B6 are: Tuna, beef liver, chicken liver, pork chops, salmon, halibut, beef and turkey. Good sources of vitamin B9 include: Calf's liver, beef liver, other organ meats and chicken giblet's.

This study showed a significant decrease in vitamin B12, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol coexisting with an increase in homocysteine levels in depressed patients. Increased homocysteine levels could be an indicator of B vitamins deficiency.

Statins are associated with a 71% increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis

This study was published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2012 May;71(5):648-54

Study title and authors:
Use of statins is associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

de Jong HJ, Klungel OH, van Dijk L, Vandebriel RJ, Leufkens HG, van der Laan JW, Cohen Tervaert JW, van Loveren H.
Laboratory for Health Protection Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21979000

The study investigated whether statin use was associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The study included 508 patients aged 40 years or older with a first-time diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis who were compared with 2,540 subjects without rheumatoid arthritis.

The study found that statin use was associated with a 71% increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibre rich diet results in zinc, copper and magnesium deficiencies

This study was published in the Journal of the Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 1996 Jun;10(2):68-76

Study title and authors:
Zinc, copper and magnesium absorption from a fibre-rich diet.

Knudsen E, Sandström B, Solgaard P.
Research Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8829129?dopt=Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a high-fibre and high-phytate diet on levels of zinc, copper and magnesium. The study lasted for 21 days and included eight healthy subjects who were given a diet of conventional foods that included 1 mmol phytic acid, 29 g dietary fiber, 140 mumol zinc, 13 mumol copper, and 9 mmol magnesium per 2,415 calories.

The study found:
(a) The subjects levels of zinc decreased by 7 mumol.
(b) The subjects levels of copper decreased by 5 mumol.
(c) The subjects levels of magnesium decreased by 3 mmol.

The study reveals that a fibre-rich diet is associated with a net loss of the nutrients zinc, copper and magnesium.

Statin treatment associated with significant muscle mitochondrial DNA depletion

This study was published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2007 May;81(5):650-3

Study title and authors:
Decreased skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA in patients treated with high-dose simvastatin.

Schick BA, Laaksonen R, Frohlich JJ, Päivä H, Lehtimäki T, Humphries KH, Côté HC.
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Research Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17329991

Mitochondrial DNA contains 37 genes, all of which are essential for normal mitochondrial function. Thirteen of these genes provide instructions for making enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Oxidative phosphorylation is a process that uses oxygen and simple sugars to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell's main energy source.

Any depletion of muscle mitochondrial DNA may lead to muscle weakness and/or liver failure, and more rarely, brain abnormalities. “Floppiness,” feeding difficulties and developmental delays are common symptoms.

The aim of this study was to determine whether muscle mitochondrial DNA levels are altered during statin therapy. This clinical trial included 43 patients, aged 31 to 69 years, who had their levels of muscle mitochondrial DNA measured at the start of the study and again after eight weeks. The subjects were placed into three groups:
(i) Simvastatin 80 mg per day.
(ii) Atorvastatin 40 mg per day.
(iii) Placebo.

The study found:
(a) A significant decrease in muscle mitochondrial DNA levels was observed in the simvastatin group and a smaller decrease in levels in the atorvastatin group.
(b) Half the patients in the simvastatin group had a greater than 50% decrease in muscle mitochondrial DNA levels.
(c) 13% of the patients in the atorvastatin group had a greater than 50% decrease in muscle mitochondrial DNA levels.

The study shows that statin treatment may be associated with significant muscle mitochondrial DNA depletion.

The researchers conclude: "Given that statin therapy is often life-long, the large decrease (47%) observed raises concern about the potential longterm effect of statins on mitochondrial DNA and skeletal muscle mitochondria".

Low-fat diets lead to increased abnormal growths in the colon

This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 1994 May;47(5):525-36

 

Study title and authors:

A randomized trial of a low fat high fibre diet in the recurrence of colorectal polyps. Toronto Polyp Prevention Group.

McKeown-Eyssen GE, Bright-See E, Bruce WR, Jazmaji V, Cohen LB, Pappas SC, Saibil FG.

Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7730878

This study investigated the effect of a low-fat, high fibre diet on the recurrence of neoplastic colorectal polyps (abnormal growths in the colon) in patients who had had previous colorectal polyps removed. The study lasted for two years and included 201 patients who had diets of the following:
(i) Given counselling to follow a low-fat, high-fibre diet: 25% fat and 35 grams a day of fibre (lower-fat , higher-fibre group).
(ii) Told to follow a normal higher-fat, lower-fibre diet: 33% fat and 16 grams a day of fibre (higher-fat, lower-fibre group).

The study found that the lower-fat, higher-fibre group had a 20% increased risk of recurrence of abnormal growths in the colon compared to the higher-fat, lower-fibre group.

Statins may trigger the onset and worsening of diabetes

This paper was published in Endocrine Journal 2005 Jun;52(3):369-72

 

Study title and authors:

Acute onset and worsening of diabetes concurrent with administration of statins.

Ohmura C, Watada H, Hirose T, Tanaka Y, Kawamori R.

Department of Medicine, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16006732

This paper reports a patient in whom the administration of statins might have triggered the onset and worsening of diabetes. The patient was a 48-year-old man who underwent annual medical examination but had never been told of high blood sugar.

The paper found:
(a) Four months after the commencement of atorvastatin (10 mg/day) treatment, a diagnosis of diabetes was made from his symptoms of high blood sugar.
(i) His after meal glucose level had risen to 29.8 mmol/l (536 mg/dL). Normal levels are below 8.1 mmol/L (8.1 mmol/L).
(ii) His HbA1c levels (a measurement of average blood sugar levels over the previous three months) had risen to 11.5%. Normal levels are below 5.6%.
(b) Three months after the cessation of atorvastatin, almost complete resolution of diabetes was observed.
(c) During the subsequent three months, diet therapy alone was sufficient to control blood sugar levels.
(d) Pravastatin (20 mg/day) was then prescribed and during the next three months his HbA1c levels gradually increased.
(e) After discontinuation of pravastatin, his HbA1c levels gradually decreased.

This case shows that statins may trigger the onset and worsening of diabetes.

High-fibre wheat-bran is associated with a significant increase in colorectal cancer

This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine 2000 Apr 20;342(16):1156-62

 

Study title and authors:

Lack of effect of a high-fiber cereal supplement on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. Phoenix Colon Cancer Prevention Physicians' Network.

Alberts DS, Martínez ME, Roe DJ, Guillén-Rodríguez JM, Marshall JR, van Leeuwen JB, Reid ME, Ritenbaugh C, Vargas PA, Bhattacharyya AB, Earnest DL, Sampliner RE.

Arizona Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724-5024, USA. dalberts@azcc.arizona.edu

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10770980

This study evaluated the effect of wheat-bran fibre in patients who had had one or more histologically confirmed colorectal adenomas removed. The study, which lasted three years, included 1,303 patients, aged 40 to 80 years, who were given wheat-bran fibre supplementation of either:
(i) 13.5 grams a day (high-fibre group).
(ii) 2 grams a day (low-fibre group).

The study found:
(a) The high-fibre group had a 5.8% increased risk of death compared to the low-fibre group.
(b) The high-fibre group had a 9.2% increased risk of any cancer compared to the low-fibre group.
(c) The high-fibre group had a 215% increased risk of colorectal cancer compared to the low-fibre group.
(d) The number of patients who reported gastrointestinal effects was significantly higher in the high-fibre group than in the low-fibre group for all effects except constipation.
Reported gastrointestinal effects:
(i) Nausea: 69% higher in the high-fibre group.
(ii) Abdominal Pain: 60% higher in the high-fibre group.
(iii) Diarrhea: 82% higher in the high-fibre group.
(iv) Constipation: 5% lower in the high-fibre group.
(v) Intestinal gas: 46% higher in the high-fibre group.
(vi) Abdominal bloating: 66% higher in the high-fibre group.

The study reveals that high-fibre wheat-bran is associated with a significant increase in colorectal cancer.