March 2002 

Julie Feldman MPH RD, Clinical Dietitian

As spring approaches, there is new hope in the battle against CF.  Australian researchers found a way of preventing the stubborn bacterial films that clog the lungs of people with CF.  The researchers from Brisbane's Institute of Molecular Bioscience have found that the severity of these bacterial infections can be reduced or even prevented by using an enzyme to destroy the DNA of the bacteria.  A common infection like pseudomanas aeruginosa  creates a biofilm made out of protein, complex sugars and DNA.  The soupy material helps the bacteria establish colonies and resist antibiotics.  By destroying the DNA, the bacteria lose strength and do not cause as much damage as before.  

Super Bugs-Super Drugs

The 3rd annual conference on Superbugs and Superdrugs was held in London earlier this month.  A California-based company named Quorex announced a new strategy to be used against infections.  Quorex was able to assign gene functions to over  half of the previously unknown genes of pseudomonas aeruginosa.  Understanding the genetic makeup of this pathogen is very important because it is becoming more and more resistant to conventional antibiotics that CF patients take often.    This identifies targets for the development of new drugs to combat this bacteria. 

Senate to help CF Patients

Lung transplants, as we know, can be a lifesaver.  But for many, the cost of such a procedure makes it impossible.  Medicaid does not cover lung transplants for adults, only in children.  The senate unanimously passed a bill CS SB 2048 on March 6th that could extend Medicaid coverage to adults who need lung transplants depending on the state Medicaid budget each year.  The bill is named for Jennifer Knight, a 20 yo girl with CF from Naples.  She brought this issue to her senator Burt Saunders who sponsored the bill.  Currently, Medicaid covers kidney, pancreas, liver, heart, lung and intestine transplants for children.  In patients over 21, there is only coverage for the kidney, the liver and the heart.  They expect the passage of this bill to cover 40 new transplants a year, costing the state about $1.3 million.

Chloride Channel Structure Uncovered

Scientists from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the Rockefeller University in NY have determined the 3-D structure of the chloride ion channel.  In humans, nine different chloride channels regulate processes as diverse as salt re-absorption in the kidneys to the contraction of muscles.  The chloride channel is now known to have 2 pores, each shaped like an hourglass with a narrow constriction at the center.  This will help scientists focus on the CF defect in this channel.

Top 10 Reasons to be Proud to be a CFer

As published by one of your fellow patients on the listserv, I thought you might all enjoy this!

10. It keeps me motivated. It makes me worry to stay on top.

9. It makes it so that I don't take life for granted.  Every day I truly feel fortunate.

8. CF allowed me to find the Cystic-L and how I had so much in common with so many people.

7. It allows me to do my vest in the morning.  How else would I get up?  My alarm clock sure doesn't work

6. It allows me to spread the message about CF.  Through a book, through talking to people who are unaware of CF.

5. It gave me the motivation to start A Wish for Wendy.  We've raised $55,000 in 2 years that will help us all.

4. I guess CF is the number 1 reason I got to run with the torch.  It sure wasn't because I could run 2/10 of a mile.

3. It has given me a change to break the Guinness Book of Records for pills taken in a 28-year span.

2. Carrying my therapy machine on trips has given me stronger biceps.

1. And the number one reason is I have such supportive friends and family!

Has anyone flaxed lately?  Flax seeds are a wonderful health food that contains healthy omega-3-fatty acids.  These are the same healthy fats that are found in fish. 

Omega-3's have been shown to help all sorts of medical conditions from heart disease to arthritis.  The benefits of flax have been used for thousands of years.  Even Hippocrates prescribed crushing and eating the tiny, oil-rich seeds for relief of abdominal pain.

Flax is also a rich source of lignans, chemicals that act like weak estrogen in the body.  This has been shown to prevent certain cancers like breast, uterus and prostate cancer. 

Flax is rich in fiber, which I am always telling you that you need more of to stay regular.  

Flax is usually sold in bulk or health food stores.  To get the benefits of flax, you need to grind the little seeds in a coffee grinder of mini food processor. 

If you are going to add flax to your diet, it is easy. Just start with about a teaspoon of ground flax per day added to your cereal or even a Scandishake!  You can slowly increase the amount of flax up to 2 Tablespoons a day, but start slowly!