HSI e-Alert - Vox Box

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - Vox Box

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 06:50:00 -0400

 

 

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

How important is folate? That's easily answered by looking at four

health risks associated with folate deficiency: heart disease, stroke,

cognitive decline and birth defects.

 

Another health risk linked to low folate levels is oral leucoplakia, a

precancerous condition caused by any type of tobacco use or chronic

irritation from teeth that rub against the inside of the mouth. With

leucoplakia, white patches may appear on the gums, tongue or inside

the cheeks. The condition is called laryngeal leucoplakia when the

patches occur in the throat or larynx (the voice box). About half of

all leucoplakia patients eventually develop oral cancer.

 

The question is: Can folate supplements treat existing leucoplakia by

raising folate levels? This question was recently put to the test by

researchers at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome.

 

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Folate rising

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The Roman team enrolled 43 patients who had not yet been treated for

laryngeal leucoplakia. For six months, each subject received 5 mg of

folic acid every eight hours. That's a high dose, considering that the

recommended daily allowance (RDA) for folate is 400 micrograms. HSI

Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., recommends folic acid supplementation of

1,600 mcg per day, and as much as 5 mg for those who want to address

cardiovascular problems. Dr. Spreen explains: " Folate isn't effective

in low doses except in a limited percentage of cases. "

 

After monthly videolaryngoscopy screenings during the six-month trial

period, researchers reported these results:

 

* 12 patients were completely free of laryngeal leucoplakia

* 19 patients had improved symptoms

* 12 patients showed no response

 

In the journal Cancer, researchers also stated: " The mean increase in

serum folate levels and the mean decrease in homocysteine serum at the

end of the study were highly significant. "

 

Dr. Giovanni Almadori, the lead author of the study, told Reuters

Health that the next phase of their research will test folic acid

supplements in the prevention of head and neck cancer for patients who

have undergone surgery to remove laryngeal leucoplakia. He noted that

the condition commonly recurs in a more advanced form, increasing

cancer risk.

 

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Boost that folate!

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I hope Dr. Almadori also supplies his future study subjects with B-12

supplements.

 

As I've mentioned in past e-Alerts, a high folate intake can mask

vitamin B-12 deficiency. So when taking high does of folic acid, Dr.

Spreen recommends 1,000 mcg of B-12 per day in sublingual form

(dissolved under the tongue). And to get the most out of folic acid,

he also suggests 100 mg per day of B-6, as well as 400-500 mg of

magnesium per day to make the B-6 more effective.

 

Talk with your doctor or a health care professional to determine if

extra folic acid, B vitamins and magnesium supplements would be

beneficial for your specific health concerns.

 

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Add two to the mix

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Oral leucoplakia prevention has been featured in two previous e-Alerts.

 

In " Testing...1...2...3 " (8/29/05), I told you about a study that

followed 30 people with oral leucoplakia. For one year, half the group

drank three cups of black tea daily, while the others abstained from

drinking black tea. Samples of leucoplakia mouth plaque cells showed

that precancerous cellular damage was significantly reduced in the

black tea subjects compared to those who didn't drink tea.

 

And in the e-Alert " Women...Start Your Engines " (5/18/04), I looked at

a study in which a daily 8 mg supplement of the antioxidant lycopene

completely wiped out white patch lesions in more than half of a group

of 20 oral leucoplakia patients. There was no response in a placebo

group. A five-ounce tomato contains about 8 mg of lycopene.

 

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If your pet has had a recent rabies vaccination, it's time to give

your veterinarian a call.

 

Late last month, more than 300,000 doses of a rabies vaccine were

recalled by the vaccine's maker, Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division

of Wyeth. These vaccines have been in use since early this year. The

recall was made after a vaccinated dog contracted rabies.

 

Dr. Steve Marks of the North Carolina State University College of

Veterinary Medicine told the Charlotte Observer that outdoor pets are

at greatest risk, as well as puppies and kittens that may have

received the medication as their first rabies vaccination. He added

that pet owners should have their pets vaccinated again as soon as

possible.

 

The Charlotte Observer notes that veterinarians who administered the

vaccines have been contacted and instructed to inform clients if their

pets are affected. Meanwhile, pet owners can check the rabies

certificate they received when their pet was vaccinated. The vaccine

is called Rabvac 3 TF, and the serial number of the recalled batch is

873113A.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

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Sources:

 

" Pilot Phase IIA Study for Evaluation of the Efficacy of Folic Acid in

the Treatment of Laryngeal Leucoplakia " Cancer, Published Online

6/12/06, interscience.wiley.com

" Folic Acid May Help Prevent Certain Throat Cancers " Megan Rauscher,

Reuters Health, 6/12/06, reutershealth.com

" Vaccine Maker Recalls Rabies Doses " Stella M. Hopkins, The Charlotte

Observer, 6/14/06, Charlotte.com