Laterlife Healthwise - 42        
Sept 2003

Asthma: how to cut down on steroids

Several research papers in recent years show that asthmatics can dramatically reduce levels of corticosteroids without any danger of their asthma worsening.   In a new study involving 259 asthma sufferers who had the complaint for at least a year, half carried on receiving beclomethasone dipropionate, an inhaled corticosteroid, at the standard dose of around 800 ug a day, while the rest had their dosages more than halved. 

Those on reduced dose suffered no more asthma attacks than those on the higher dosage. If you are still on a high dose, it wouldn’t hurt to book a visit to the doctor to reconsider the situation.

Meanwhile, latest news on the breathing technique known as the Buteyko method claims encouraging results. Participants in a study typically reduced their reliever medication by 2 puffs a day, and a majority managed to reduce their steroids too, after becoming accustomed to the technique. To learn more, see website:  www.lifesource.co.uk

Intake of fruit and vegetables reduces risk for stroke by 30-40 %

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that both men and women, eating lots of fruits and vegetables have a much lower risk of suffering from stroke.

Almost 55,000 Danish men and women participated in the study. Daily fruit and vegetable intake was measured and the number of patients suffering from stroke was analysed over 3 years.

The reduced risk of 30% rose when looking at fruit and vegetables separately. It was found that only fruit intake has a higher protective role: those consuming the most fruit had a risk which was 40% lower than those who consumed the least amount of fruit.

Similar results have been obtained in an earlier study where fruit and vegetables rich in vitamin C were protective for stroke. Kiwifruit is the richest source of vitamin C. It contains twice as much vitamin C than oranges. Consumption of fruit and particularly fruit rich in vitamin C may protect against stroke.

Change in blood pressure definition

The definition of high blood pressure, or hypertension, has changed. New guidelines from the National Institutes of Health in the USA have made the recognised risk levels lower, meaning that those who were considered borderline before, are now suitable candidates for therapy.

From now on, in the States at least, 'normal' blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg, a pre-hypertensive state is 120/80 to 139/89.  Stage one hypertension – which is when treatment is advised – now begins at 140/90 to 159/99. Under the old guidelines, 'normal' blood pressure was around 128/80 mm Hg, which is now pre-hypertensive.

Doctors are recommending two drugs to treat this new lower threshold of hypertension: thiazide diuretics and a hypertensive drug. Side effects of some of the drugs recommended can cause impotence.

 European levels remain unchanged in an area where treatment is under critical review. It has been discovered that the old-fashioned low-dose diuretics are sufficient on their own to reduce blood pressure in many cases. In fact they may be more effective than the new antihypertensives.

A report in the  Journal of the American Medical Association makes the picture clear.  Researchers studied 42 clinical trials of different antihypertensives, which involved 192,478 patients, and found that none of the new front-line treatments-which include ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and beta blockers-was any better than the low-dose diuretics.

Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy  

’One month ago I came off HRT after 11 years at the suggestion of my doctor. Please can anybody help me, because the hot flushes are making my life rather uncomfortable to say the least. I would really appreciate some help in finding an alternative.
Thank you.’  

A study published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society, reports that hot flushes are reduced in menopausal women taking soy isoflavone supplements. Among 75 patients in a carefully controlled study carried out over four months, by week 16 women taking the soy supplement were experiencing a significant decrease in hot flushes compared to a placebo group. Soy is available as a supplement on its own and as part of a mix with other phytoestrogens and herbal remedies.

One tried and tested isoflavone considered most useful is red clover, used in trials over 15 years. 

Other nutrients for menopausal symptoms:

Black cohosh  

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