Posted by Larry Hoover on November 23, 2002, at 12:04:32
In reply to Re: Lipoic acid Network Anti-Oxidants -- » Larry Hoover, posted by bluedog on November 23, 2002, at 11:34:09
> > > From what Dr Packer writes I believe that these antioxidants that he recommends could affect my depression just as powerfully as fish oil and should be given as high a priority as fish oil in my diet.
> >
> > They might have such an effect. You might also look at it more broadly, in the context of general health. Did I mention Dr. Pall? Do a search on him and peroxynitrite.
> >
>
> Thanks for this research lead. I find Dr Pall's work extremely interesting because my GP thinks that my depression and burn-out may be linked to a chronic fatigue like syndrome. I will definitely spend some time reading through his research. Dr Packer also spends time in his book talking about nitric oxide and it's role in the ageing process etc. He mentioned that the 1998 Nobel Prize in physiology and Medicine was awarded to the scientists who discovered nitric oxide's role as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system.For years, nobody believed that your body would purposefully create such a corrosive molecule (it is innately a free radical (but so is O2, the oxygen molecule)). Your body can ordinarily control it, but it can also escape control.
More broadly, NO and peroxynitrite fall under the rubric of oxidative stress. That might bring a lot more research to light, but it can also take you down many other tangents.
>
> Dr Packer and his researchers were apparently the scientists that discovered that lipoic acid boosts glutathione levels and that lipoic acid is one of the very few substances that crosses the blood/brain barrier and that this substance can protect the brain from oxidative damage after a stroke.Lipoic acid is soluble both in lipid and in the aqueous compartments (e.g. plasma and cytoplasm), based on its ability to be reduced to dihydrolipoate. It is probably the best candidate yet for the title of "universal antioxidant".
> >
> > >I am torn between his credentials being a Professor at Berkely and his apparent conflict in selling the same supplements he recommends through his website.
> >
> > I don't like doctors selling nutrients at large markups (typical case).
> >
>
> I forgot to mention that Dr Packer is not a medical doctor but has a PHD in microbiology and biochemistry with his area of research being cell biology.Dr. Pall isn't a medical doctor either. Perhaps it helps to not have the belief structure of a medical doctor.
>I am also uncomfortable with a scientist selling nutrients. It seems almost impossible to find researchers who don't have some sort of connection with a product or companies that sell products.
Cashing in on their knowledge doesn't surprise me. My dad had a very weird 'brand loyalty'. Human nature is a weird thing.
>Conflicts of interest appear to be the rule rather than the exception in the research industry and I find this extremely frustrating.
I'm not so sure it's a conflict of interest unless they claim some sort of proprietary uniqueness, like the hypothetical "Dr. Parker's Miracle Formula". When the contents are identified, they simply become an easy source for the lazy.
> >
> > The research is solid. But how does that make him a better nutrient salesman? Price is the only consideration at that point, IMHO.
> >
>
> I agree with you. One redeeming feature about Dr Packer is that, although he obviously has his own supplements, he does offer the following advice on the question of where to buy supplements and which brands to buy, and I quote directly from his book. "......Today, high quality supplements can be found in pharmacies, discount stores,catalogs, on the internet, and.....health food stores......My advice is to buy your supplements wherever it is most economical and convenient." and "Select products offered by reputable manufacturers that take special steps to ensure safety and effectiveness." Sounds like good advice but I don't know if it's enough to save him from having "crossed over the line" you mentioned in your post.Unless he makes the same claims on his website, I suppose you're right.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:128873
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/128928.html