Fish oils
http://mobile.nytimes.com/comments/blogs/well/2015/08/31/supplements-dont-fight-cognitive-decline-n-i-h-study-says/
http://www.paleohacks.com/inflammation/tired-after-eating-high-inflammation-healing-gut-food-allergies-1103#axzz1Rk4NZ8UJ
Vinegar & Performance (Add)
Models
Eduardo Siguel Wrote:
There is a mistaken conception that Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT) are necessary (the “gold” standard) to identify best evidence for best diagnosis and treatments. The best evidence comes from building an accurate model that explains, describes and predicts the nature of a disease. We need better models, not necessarily better biomarkers or better statistics or more clinical trials. To understand the results of a RCT one needs an accurate model that explains the dependent (outcome) variable as a function of the independent variables (factors, causes). When this model does not exist or is bad, (unreliable, not valid, illogical), the statistical data are irrelevant. The statistics (such as p value) may appear powerful, but that is an artifact of using a large sample size and inappropriate statistical methods. A statistical method usually tests that Two numbers are different from each other (such as mean survival time for treatment vs. control). These two numbers are, mathematically, always different (almost impossible to be identical). A large sample size simply proves the obvious and true, the numbers are different (even if the difference is small or irrelevant). Even with excellent p values and statistical significance, the underlying model may omit the most important factors in the disease, making the results practically useless. From a commercial perspective, the current method to approve drugs is highly profitable. Almost any drug will be found to “improve” the outcomes, with a properly designed experiment and controls (which experts know how to design). Drugs are not compared against alternative better treatments (e.g., compare drug treatment for high blood pressure or Diabetes Type 2 with healthier diets, low weight and exercise). If they did, many drugs would fail. The lack of an accurate model serves to support useless research, unnecessary diagnosis and treatments, huge profits and compensation to executives and foreign entities. It costs Americans billions and huge deficits in trade and budgets.
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- · 8 days ago
- Eduardo Siguel Wrote:
A Clinical trial of a drug to prevent Alzheimer’s in a population at high risk due to genes is unlikely to produce substantial desirable results in the general population. My models of the cause of Alzheimer’s or similar disorders of acquired (often with age) reduced IQ indicate that certain factors substantially increase the risk of membrane abnormalities and cell death, causing low IQ. Although genes play an important role, they are relatively minor for most people. From a prevention perspective we ought to focus on modifiable factors, such as environment (Diet, exercise, smoking, drinking, toxic chemicals) that modulate (increase or decrease) IQ. Environmental factors can substantially change cells and cell connections in the brain. In particular, I propose that certain common medical treatments increase the risk of lower IQ. Drug treatment for high cholesterol alters cholesterol metabolism in the body and the brain, altering brain function. Lowering high blood pressure with drugs lowers blood flow to some brain cells, damaging connections or killing cells. Treatment of overweight with drugs conceals (like painting rotten wood in a porch) the underlying biochemical abnormalities, which include low blood flow, low nutrients, impaired cell function of brain cells. In these cases, the better treatments are an optimal diet and exercise. Impaired blood circulation (due to environmental factors) is likely the most substantial factor in impaired brain function.
Without an accurate model of the disease, it is counterproductive to rely on poorly designed randomized clinical trials (RCT) or statistical analysis for drugs for prevention of Alzheimer’s. A fraction of the billions spent on R&D and treatment for high cholesterol, hypertension and Diabetes type 2, could be used much more efficiently and effectively to “cure” or improve the biochemical causes (when caused by abnormal diet and poor exercise, the most common cause). The results are lower health care costs and better desirable health outcomes. For less than $100M we can identify with greater precision the specific environmental factors that impair brain cell function and correct them, thereby improving the well being of millions. My papers on some of these matters can be found at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?itool=pubmed_Abstract&DbFrom=pubmed&Cmd=Link&LinkName=pubmed_pubmed&IdsFromResult=10951512&retmode=ref
http://www.plosmedicine.org/annotation/listThread.action;jsessionid=97F139621730106135B9C7E26FACFAA9?inReplyTo=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fannotation%2Fbe7e189a-c1c9-4361-b57a-6812a2e47145&root=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fannotation%2Fbe7e189a-c1c9-4361-b57a-6812a2e47145
Eduardo Siguel, MD, PhD.
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- 7 days ago
- Nancy Hertz Replied:
Thank you for your interesting comments, Dr. Siguel. I looked at the links you posted. Please note that the second link would not load. The website, PLos Medicine, indicates the page may have been moved.
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- 6 days ago
- Eduardo Siguel Replied:
For reasons unknown to me, it appears some of my comments, previously accepted, are gone from some scientific sites.
Try
http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/3/72/72cm6.abstract/reply
http://www.plosmedicine.org/annotation/listThread.action?root=16%2C987
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