A Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diet May Help Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

A Penn State study published in the February 2012 edition of Nutritional Neuroscience found significant improvements in behavior in children put on a gluten-free and casein-free (dairy-free) diet. The diet was most effective when followed religiously and over more than 6 months. Children with ASD often have gastro-intestinal problems, which in turn may be triggered by an immune reaction to these foods. This immune reaction could also affect the brain. 

Sleep Medications Associated with Higher Risk of Death

A recent study published February 28 in the British Medical Journal Open and conducted at the Cripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Center in La Jolla is the 19th study to show that long term use of hypnotics such as Ambien(zaleplon) and Restoril (temazepam) as a sleeping aid confers a greater than 3-fold increased risk for early death. Approximately 6% to 10% of adults in the US took a hypnotic drug to help them sleep in 2010. It is one thing to take such a drug once in a while, and another to be a chronic user. Solving sleep problems is not easy, but studies such as these show that you pay a price when you rely on hypnotics. 

NSAIDS Impair Rotator Cuff Tendon-to-Bone Healing

After reading the glucosamine study, I was reminded of an earlier study by Scott Rodeo that showed how the NSAIDs indomethacin (similar to ibuprofen) and celecoxib (Celebrex) impair healing. Rats that underwent acute rotator cuff repairs and were given NSAIDs did not heal as well as those not given NSAIDs. The healing was impaired. This makes sense when you realize that inflammation is a normal part of the healing process. If it is impaired, healing will also be impaired.

Glucosamine Sulfate and Tendon Injuries

I was recently searching pubMed for literature on glucosamine sulfate for tendon injuries and tendon surgery and came across this Turkish study. In this study the rats' Achilles tendons were cut and then repaired. One group was given glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other other group was not. The rats were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The group given glucoamine chondroitin sulfate had stronger tedons, less inflammation, and better overall healing than the other group. 

Moderate Drinking May Lower Stroke Risk in Women

The March 8 edition of Stroke had a study showing that light to moderate drinking is associated with a lower risk of both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. 83,587 women from the Nurses' Health Study were followed for 26 years. Light drinking was 1/2 glass of wine per day, and moderate drinking was 1/2 to 1 1/2 glasses of wine, 1 mixed drink, or 1 beer daily. Previous studies have shown light to moderate alcohol consumption to be linked to lower risk of heart disease.