The study, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, investigated whether antioxidant vitamins and magnesium supplementation can prevent hearing loss. Researchers at the University of Michigan administered a diet supplemented with either vitamins A, C and E; magnesium alone; A, C and E plus magnesium; or a placebo to guinea pigs, one hour before and 5 days after noise exposure. The guinea pigs were exposed to 120 decibel sound pressure level noise for five hours.

The researchers found that the combination of vitamins A, C and E plus magnesium effectively reduced hearing loss and damage to the inner ear cells. The nutrients decreased free radical damage before and after noise exposure. However, treatment with vitamins A, C and E or magnesium alone did not effectively reduce hearing loss or cell damage.

"This study supports roles for both free radical formation and noise-induced vasoconstriction in the onset and progression of noise-induced hearing loss," the study authors write. "Identification of this safe and effective antioxidant intervention that attenuates noise-induced hearing loss provides a compelling rationale for human trials in which free radical scavengers are used to eliminate this single major cause of acquired hearing loss."

REFERENCES:
1. Le Prell CG et al. Free radical scavengers vitamins A, C, and E plus magnesium reduce noise trauma. Free Radic Biol Med 2007 May 1;42(9):1454-63. Epub 2007 Feb 20.

The randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, investigated whether folic acid supplementation prevents age-related hearing loss. Researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, administered 800 mcg of folic acid or a placebo daily to 728 Dutch men and women aged 50-70 years for three years. At the beginning of the study, the participants had serum homocysteine levels of at least 13 micromoles per liter and vitamin B12 levels of 200 picomoles per liter, and no ear dysfunctions or hearing loss. Hearing tests measuring the ability to hear low and high frequencies were obtained from the participants at the beginning and end of the study.

The researchers found that the median hearing thresholds were 11.7 decibels for low frequencies and 34.2 decibels for high frequencies at the beginning of the study. Findings revealed that the folic acid group had a 1 decibel increase in low frequencies thresholds, compared with 1.7 increase in the placebo group. However, folic acid supplementation did not affect the decline in hearing high frequencies. The study authors note that the Netherlands did not have folic acid fortification of food during the study. Since the U.S. has folic acid fortification of food, baseline folate levels in Dutch participants were about half of those found in the U.S. Therefore, it is unknown if folic acid's beneficial effect will occur in populations with folic acid fortification of food.

"Folic acid supplementation slowed the decline in hearing of the speech frequencies associated with aging in a population from a country without folic acid fortification of food," the study authors write. "The effect requires confirmation, especially in populations from countries with folic acid fortification programs."

REFERENCES:
1. Durga J et al. Effects of folic acid supplementation on hearing in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2007 Jan 2;146(1):1-9.

The study, published in Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, investigated whether any chromosomal regions were linked to age-related hearing loss. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, analyzed the data of 711 pairs of elderly male fraternal twins with hearing loss, born from 1917 to 1927. Health history questionnaires and genome screenings were obtained from the participants.

Researchers found genes linked to age-related hearing loss on chromosome 3q, at the DFNA18 gene locus (location). The researchers believe that the same locus may be responsible for early-onset hearing loss However, more research will be needed to determine which gene contributes to age-related hearing loss and early-onset hearing loss.

"To our knowledge, this is the first sample from the general population that has been used in a genome screening for qualitative hearing loss," the study authors write. "The results, if confirmed, suggest that genetic variation in the region of DFNA18 may be responsible for hearing loss with age in the general population."

REFERENCES:
1. Garringer HJ et al. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 May;132(5):506-510.

It is the first to document negative effects of progestin on hearing. A total of 124 women age 60-85 were used in the study. Women were either on estrogen alone, estrogen with progestin, or no hormones. A rigorous battery of hearing tests were given to each woman and results were compared across the group.

Hearing loss was significantly higher in the estrogen plus progestin group compared to the estrogen alone group or the controls. Poor results were seen in the progestin group at all frequencies in the pure tone audiometry tests as well as numerous other tests.

The estrogen only group did not differ from the control group, showing no effect of estrogen on hearing, either positive or negative. Earlier studies had suggested a protective effect of estrogen on hearing and other sensory systems.

Progestin has been found to increase the risk of cancer and heart disease in studies earlier in this decade, and now it has been found to negatively affect hearing. Hearing loss can be very debilitating, causing a decreased quality of life. Hearing loss significantly effects one's ability to function in the world by interupting communication, the hub of all personal interaction.

Burning mouth syndrome affects about 3% of the general population, women more than men. If taking into account only postmenopausal women, incidence ranges from 40-80 percent affected. There is no known etiology or cause for burning mouth syndrome, though some references site a recent trip to the dentist or recent medication usage as a possible trigger.

The most common characteristics of burning mouth syndrome are pain and tingling in the mouth area that can affect the lips, gums, throat and tongue. Dry mouth is also associated with some cases of burning mouth syndrome. Those affected will usually wake up with no symtpoms and throughout the day they gradually worsen. There seems to be no trigger once the condition develops.

Burning mouth syndrome has been linked to several other conditions. Individuals with chronic anxiety or depression are more likely to have symptoms of burning mouth syndrome. Nutritional deficeincies of zinc, iron, folate and other B vitamins have been linked with burning mouth syndrome as has been Type 2 diabetes. Some research has shown that a possible defect in the cranial nerves that innervate the affected area may be cause, though it does not apply to all cases.

The Mayo Clinic Health Letter this August published an article that discussed the difficulty of treating patients with burning mouth syndrome. Most of the recommended treatments are medications typically used for treating central nervous system disorders and include benzodiazepenes, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Patients may not want to begin taking these strong medications at onset, but when the condition persists for months to years, they may be the only relief.

The article sites other forms of treatment that include salivary inducing agents, chewing gum, antifungal medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a specific type of counseling that allows the individual to think or reason past triggers that induce a response from the body, either physiological or psychological in orgin. Also avoiding strong mouthwashes and toothpaste may help and avoiding activities that may irritate the oral mucosa such as brushing with hard bristles or eating crunchy, sharp foods.

In any case, if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of burning mouth syndrome, contact your healthcare provider. Treatment should be started immediately, and cure can be difficult.

Another small study of 10 subjects, conducted in Brazil, showed a wider gap in results between the scraper and brush. VSC levels dropped 75 percent with the tongue scraper, compared with 45 percent with the toothbrush. However, Cochrane Library researchers find there is little hard evidence to support the tongue scraper claim. Because this second study was so small, the results would need to be repeated in a large scale trial. Until more reliable evidence surfaces, researchers cannot support the effectiveness of tongue scrapers.

Allergy testing falls into a few categories. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology the following tests are approved for the detection of IgE type allergies:

1. Skin Prick Test- involves introducing a small amount of allergen into the skin by making a small puncture through a drop of the allergen extract. With testing, swelling occurs only in the spots where the tiny amount of allergen to which you are allergic has been introduced, usually in about 15 minutes.

2. Intradermal Test- involves injecting a small amount of allergen under the skin with a syringe. This form of testing is more sensitive than the prick skin test method. This form of allergy testing may be used if the prick skin tests are negative.

3. Blood (RAST) test- Sometimes a blood test, called a RAST (radioallergosorbent) test may be performed. Since this test involves drawing blood, it costs more, and the results are not available as rapidly as skin tests. RAST tests are generally used only in cases in which skin tests can not be performed, such as on patients taking certain medications, or those with skin conditions that may interfere with skin testing.

The study enrolled men with suspected sleep apnea. Each man underwent conventional testing for the sleep disorder. They were also given a self report questionaire that inquired about symptoms and incidence of erectile dysfunction.

Out of 50 men, 30 were diagnosed with sleep apnea. In those with sleep apnea 80% had symtpoms of erectile dysfunction. The men with the most severe forms of sleep apnea had the greatest incidence of erectile dysfunction. In those men who did not have sleep apnea (20) only four(20%) had symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

The authors conluded that sleep apnea can increase your risk of erectile dysfunction or impotence. There are several reasons that the two conditions may be related. During REM sleep men experience nightly erections that help maintain healthy function of the organ. In men with sleep anpnea, REM sleep is broken by periods of breathlessness and frequent waking. Becuase of broken REM, nightly erections may not occur.

As well sleep apnea can affect testosterone production, which is the primary sex hormone that supports normal erections. The authors also suggest that obesity could be a common link between the two conditions. Men with sleep apnea are more likely obese and erectile dysfunction is more common in obese men.

For men with erectile dysfunction issues such as sleep apnea and obesity should be eliminated as possible causes or contributing factors.

Once you have a sound, safe, and effective supplement program, consideration must be made as to whether the product should be taken with food. A number of generalizations can be made. Vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids should be taken with meals in divided doses to enhance absorption, while botanical medicines (herbs) are usually advised to be taken away from food. "Away from food" actually means either 30 minutes before a meal or at least two hours following a meal. Amino acids are usually best administered on an empty stomach, but with a small amount of carbohydrate like fruit or fruit juice, which can facilitate absorption across the blood brain barrier. If nausea or other symptoms of indigestion occur, then these supplements can be taken with food. Other accessory food factors like coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid are best taken with meals. Digestive enzymes to enhance digestion should be taken at the start of meals and dose may be adjusted accordingly with portion sizes. Conversely, digestive enzymes, like bromelain, prescribed to reduce inflammation should be taken on an empty stomach. There is some controversy over whether probiotics should be taken with or without food. It seems "with food" may be the most sensible approach because yogurt is the main food source of these beneficial bacteria. Studies have shown benefit from yogurt consumption in the treatment of conditions like vaginal candidiasis.

The time of day when a supplement is to be administered depends on the particular product itself, and what its primary goal is; to either treat or enhance bodily functions or physiological conditons. For example, botanical medicines like Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora incarnata, recommended to improve sleep quality should be taken about an hour before bed. While herbs prescribed to enhance thyroid function would be best taken upon rising as is recommended with pharmaceutical thyroid medication. As well, combinations of calcium and magnesium can be taken before bed to promote muscle relaxation. A naturopathic physician, or like minded primary health care provider, will give you these instructions when prescribing these supplements. Your supplement program will be most effective if you follow these simple guidelines.

The participants in the study inserted Bacillus clausii spores into each nare 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Baseline measurements of cytokine levels were taken as well as monitored throughout the study to test the effect the bacterial spores has on the immune response.

The study showed that Bacillus clausii lowered levels of cytokines, which induce an inflammatory response from the immune system, and increased cytokines; thus modulating an anti-inflammatory response.

The authors conclude that Bacillus clausii has an immunomodulatory effect via cytokine pathways and is an effective, safe treatment for allergic rhinitis in adults.

Butterbur (Petasites hybridis) is a botanical native to Europe that has been shown in previous studies to be effective at treating headaches (migraine), asthma, and muscle spasm. The studies claim that Butterbur modulates leukotrienes synthesis and release, thereby decreasing the inflammatory reaction.

In a study published in the December issue of Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surger, the authors examined both the safety and efficacy of Butterbur for allergic rhinitis. The study also compared different doses of Butterbur to determine effectiveness and dose response.

The study found that Butterbur is safe with little or no side effects. It is also an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and the effect is dose dependant, meaning that a higher dose yielded a greater response.

Butterbur was effective at decreasing symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose and eyes. The results were statistically significant over placebo for all doses tested. There was not a statistically significant difference between the high and low doses of Butterbur.