Check back soon for links to new research that may be of interest to you.

 

Subclinical Hypothyroidism and the Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome
 
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 6998 Chinese adults, 21.5% of whom were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and 8.2% with subclincal hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroism was defined as TSH > 4.5 mIU/L with normal free T3 and free T4. There was no statistical difference in occurrence of  euthyroidism (21.3%) or subclinical hypothyroidsim (25.7%) in the metabolic syndrome group. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased with age. The differences were not statistically different for hypertension,  hypertriglyceridemia, impaired fasting glucose and HDL-C in subjects with euthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism.
 
Horm Metab Res. 2011 Jun;43(6):417-21. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

 

Yoga for Children with IBS or Functional Abdominal Pain
 
Twenty children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional abdominal pain (FAP) were enrolled to receive 10 yoga classes. Each yoga class was 1.5 hours in length with a children's yoga teacher. The children began with an education about their condition and a high-fibre diet but with insufficient effect. The baseline period was one month which functioned as a control phase, followed by a 12 week treatment period and a 3 month follow-up. Pain frequency was significantly decreased by end of therapy compared to baseline in the 8-11 and 11-18 year olds. Pain intensity was significantly decreased  in the 8-11 group at 12 weeks. After 3 months, there was still a significant reduction in pain frequency in the 8-11 group  and a borderline significant decrease in pain frequency for the total group. Parents reported better quality of life after yoga treatment.
 
Complement Ther Med. 2011 Jun;19(3):109-14. Epub 2011 May 26.

 

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Improves Insomnia Similar to Lunesta
 
Thirty adults  with chronic primary insomnia were randomized to a mindfulness-based stress reduction program or eszopiclone (LUNESTA) 3 mg nightly for 8 weeks. The mindfulness program consisted of weekly 2.5-hour classes and a day-long retreat along with home meditation. Both groups received a 10-minute sleep hygiene presentation. The mindfulness group had decreased sleep inset latency, improvements in Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, diary measured total sleep time and sleep efficiency from baseline to 5-month follow-up. The changes in the mindfulness group were of comparable magnitude to the Lunesta group.
 
Explore (NY). 2011 Mar-Apr;7(2):76-87.

 

Gluten Causes Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Non-celiac Patients
 
Thirty-four patients (29-59 years of age, 30 women) who had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (but did not have celiac disease) and who were symptomatically controlled on a gluten-free diet were randomized to a gluten or a placebo diet addition for 6 weeks. The gluten diet addition consisted of 2 bread slices and a muffin a day with either gluten or a placebo added. Adherence to the diet was very high. In the gluten group, 68% reported that their symptoms were not well controlled compared to 40% in the placebo group. Within week one of the study, the gluten group patients had significantly worse overall symptoms (bloating, satisfaction with stool consistency, tiredness) using a Visual Analog Scale. There were not significant changes in fecal lactoferrin, levels of celiac antibodies, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, or intestinal permeability.
 
Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 Mar;106(3):508-14. Epub 2011 Jan 11.