Virtual Colonoscopy Not a Replacement for Traditional Colonoscopy

"Virtual" colonoscopy or CT colonography is relatively new, constructing a 3D image of the colon by using an X-ray CT scan. Many people opt for it because unlike a traditional colonoscopy it is noninvasive, but is it accurate?

248 consecutive patients who were at increased risk of developing colon cancer were first checked by a virtual colonoscopy, and then double-checked by the traditional colonoscopy. Two different reviewers checked all of the results independently. 8 Large polyps were missed by the virtual colonoscopy and picked up by the traditional colonoscopy. The virtual colonoscopy missed many flat, non-stalked polyps. There were a large number of false positives with virtual colonoscopy. The study is published in the July 2004 issue of Gastroenterology.

A High Uric Acid Level is Dangerous

A study of 1423 middle-aged Finnish men supports the abundant epidemiological evidence that highly elevated blood levels of uric acid are predictor of death from cardiovascular disease. The men were free of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes at the start of the study and the men were followed for an average of almost 12 years. Those men with a serum uric acid level in the top third of all men had a 2.5 fold higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than men with levels in the lower third. If risk factors for cardiovascular disease and variables for gout were factored in the risk for these men rose to 3.73 fold. Factoring in adjustments for metabolic syndrome (a prelude to diabetes) increased their risk to 4.77 fold greater than men in the lowest third of uric acid levels. Serum uric acid levels are a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality in healthy middle-aged men. The study is published in the July 26th issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Perilla Frutescens Extract Inhibits Seasonal Allergy Symptoms and Rhinoconjunctivitis

In a 21-day study patients with mild seasonal airborne allergies were treated with a concentration of Perilla frutescens vs. placebo, patients on Perilla had significant decreases in the intensity of the following symptoms - itchy nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes and total symptoms. The release of immune system chemicals and allergy-associated cells was also greatly reduced including fewer neutrophils and eosinophils. There were no side effects from the Perilla. The study is published in the July 2004 issue of the journal of Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Perilla Frutescens Contains Many Ingredients that Aid Inflamed Tissue

In a study of 9 different ingredients in Perilla frutescens, 8 had a strong ability to inhibit inflammation and the 9th strongly inhibited tumor growth in a variety of ways. Five of the compounds strongly inhibited the Epstein Barr virus. The study is published in the January 2004 issue of the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry.

Perilla Frutescens Inhibits Dust Mite Allergy-Associated Asthma in Animals

In mice prone to dust mite allergen induced asthma, supplementing with Perilla frutescens effectively blocked the allergic response and associated asthma attacks. The Perilla decreased the release of allergy-associated chemicals and inflammatory chemicals such as cytokines, chemokines and allergiy-specific antibodies in the mice airways and lungs. The study appears in the June 2004 issue of the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy.