Resolvin D2

In the paper, researchers describe how the body converts an ingredient found in fish oils into another chemical called Resolvin D2 and how this chemical reduces the inflammation that leads to a variety of diseases.

The research also suggests that Resolvin D2 could be the basis for a new treatment for diseases including sepsis, stroke and arthritis. Unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs, this chemical does not seem to suppress the immune system.

The researchers, who were funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign, the Wellcome Trust and the National Institutes of Health, looked at a particular ingredient of fish oils called DHA. They were able to show how the body converts DHA into Resolvin D2 and discover its exact chemical structure.

Mauro Perretti, Professor of Immunopharmacology at Queen Mary, University of London, led the UK team. He said: “We have known for some time that fish oils can help with conditions like arthritis which are linked to inflammation. What we’ve shown here is how the body processes a particular ingredient of fish oils into Resolvin D2. We’ve also looked in detail at this chemical, determining at least some of the ways it provides relief for inflammation. It seems to be a very powerful chemical and a small amount can have a large effect.”

“This research is important because it explains at least one way in which fish oils can help in different types of arthritis. We can also work on this chemical and see if it can be used not only to treat or even prevent arthritis, but also as a possible treatment for a variety of other diseases associated with inflammation.”

Nitric Oxide Prevents Inflammation

Arthritis, and many other diseases, are caused by inflammation. This means that the body’s natural defenses against infections are mistakenly directed at healthy tissue.

Previous research has shown that a crucial step in this process occurs when white blood cells, called leukocytes, stick to the inner lining of the blood vessels, called the endothelium.

Researchers studied these blood cells and how they interact with the endothelium in the lab. When they added Resolvin D2 they found that the endothelial cells produced small amounts of nitric oxide, which acts as a chemical signal discouraging the white blood cells from sticking to the endothelial cells and preventing inflammation.

* Resolvin D2 is a potent regulator of leukocytes and controls microbial sepsis, Spite et al, Nature, DOI: 10.1038/nature08541

For more information, contact:

Kerry Noble
Acting Deputy Head of Communications
Queen Mary, University of London
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7882 7910
email: k.noble@qmul.ac.uk

French Maritime Pine

Phyto-Remedies: Natural health remedies from plants

GENEVA, Switzerland – A recent study published in “International Immunopharmacology,” reveals why Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is effective for reducing inflammation and soothing pain associated with various health problems. Dr. Raffaella Canali of the National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition in Rome, Italy, found that Pycnogenol® inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX, two naturally occurring enzymes associated with a host of inflammatory conditions.

“This study reveals that Pycnogenol can actually decrease pain and reduce inflammatory conditions, as has been previously reported, by shutting down the production of specific enzymes involved with inflammation,” said Dr. Canali.

Inflammation is a tightly controlled, concerted action of immune cells fighting infections, irritations and injuries. When inflammation goes out of control it may target the body’s own tissue such as in arthritis or asthma. The worst known cases are the auto-immune diseases.

The study investigated healthy volunteers ranging from ages 35-50, who consumed Pycnogenol® tablets (150 mg) for five consecutive days in the morning before breakfast. Blood was drawn before and after supplementation to investigate how immune cells respond towards pro-inflammatory stimuli. The behavior of specific white blood cells (leukocytes) for generating a repertoire of enzymes in inflammatory condition was tested by real-time PCR. The gene expression of enzymes COX-2, 5-LOX, FLAP and COX-1 were monitored and the products these enzymes generate, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, were quantified.

Pine Bark

A baseline study revealed that the volunteers’ immune cells rapidly initiated production of COX-2, 5-LOX and FLAP enzymes upon pro-inflammatory stimulation. Taking Pycnogenol® almost entirely subdued COX-2, 5-LOX and FLAP induction in the immune cells of volunteers. Control studies showed that Pycnogenol® did not have an effect on generation of the COX-1 enzyme, thus the potential for typical NSAID side effects is defied. While Pycnogenol® is not a COX-2-specific inhibitor; it blocks the COX-2 enzyme production during inflammation only. There are COX-2 enzymes not involved in inflammation in other organs such as the kidneys, where it has important physiologic functions.

“Standard NSAID medications reduce the production of prostaglandins by COX enzymes for lowering the pain,” explains Dr. Canali. “In contrast, Pycnogenol® turns to the root of the problem, completely stopping the production of COX-2 in inflammation. Thus far, Pycnogenol® seems to be a unique tool for modulating inflammatory processes.”

These pharmacologic findings are consistent with past clinical trials of Pycnogenol® that showed significantly lowered leukotriene levels in asthmatic patients, a condition originating from 5-LOX. Three recent clinical trials also showed arthritis pain relief and a reduced need for pain medication in arthritis patients after taking Pycnogenol®, results that are linked to COX-2 inhibition. One arthritis study showed a significant reduction of inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Pycnogenol® has been shown to inhibit inflammation in several dysmenorrhoea studies and also a reduction in skin inflammation related to sunburn and acne.

Pycnogenol® Powder

About Pycnogenol®
Pycnogenol® is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 40 years and has more than 220 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com.

Horphag Research Ltd. is the exclusive worldwide supplier of Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) French maritime pine bark extract. Pycnogenol® is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd.; Guernsey and its applications are protected by U.S. patents #5,720,956 / #6,372,266 and other international patents. Horphag Research Ltd. Is the recipient of the 2008 Frost & Sullivan North American Health Ingredients Excellence in Research Award. For more information about Pycnogenol® visit our Web site at www.pycnogenol.com

Press Release from University of Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – Turmeric – the key ingredient in curry – has been used in India for thousands of years to help treat colds, inflammation, arthritis and even cancer.

Now, researchers at the Steele Children’s Research Center at The University of Arizona have found that curcumin (the biologically active ingredient in turmeric) may be a viable supplement to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Basically, they have shown that curcumin decreases the severe inflammation and resultant intestinal damage caused by IBD.

IBD refers to two inflammatory diseases: Crohn’s Disease, which affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, and ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon. Both cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue and weight loss. As many as one in 500 individuals will be diagnosed with IBD each year, and IBD typically is diagnosed in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 19. Approximately 1 million individuals in the United States suffer from IBD.

For several years, Steele Children’s Research Center researchers have been investigating how curcumin aids in treating IBD. Recently, Steele Center principal investigator Pawel Kiela, DVM, PhD, research associate professor, and co-investigator Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, Steele Center director and professor, and their team made some new discoveries regarding how curcumin may be used as a supplemental treatment for IBD.  Drs. Kiela and Ghishan are faculty members at The University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Neutrophils (the most common type of white blood cells) play a vital role in the immune system, for they are the first immune cells to arrive at the site of inflammation and play a key role in recognizing and destroying the pathogens that cause inflammation and infection. “However, for the patient suffering with IBD, the immune system is both friend and foe,” says Dr. Kiela. “Under normal circumstances, neutrophils are indispensible for fighting infection and resolving the inflammation. But with IBD, there is an exaggerated and prolonged influx of neutrophils into the inflamed tissue. Paradoxically, then, the neutrophils end up damaging the lining of the intestines, making the inflammation even worse. In the end, this innate response designed to aid in the fighting of pathogens ends up causing more harm than good.”

Drs. Kiela and Ghishan and their team recently discovered that curcumin suppresses the migration of neutrophils to the site of inflammation, thus minimizing the damage to the intestines. “We have shown that curcumin not only inhibits the synthesis and secretion of molecules that would normally attract the massive influx of neutrophils to the site of injury, but it also suppresses the ability of neutrophils to respond to these substances and their directional migration,” Dr. Kiela says.

Recent clinical trials have shown that relapses in ulcerative colitis patients who took daily curcumin supplement were half as frequent as in patients receiving a placebo. “Although curcumin is unlikely to replace the current treatments for IBD, it can be considered a valuable supplemental therapy that may improve the quality of life in patients with chronic IBD,” Dr. Kiela says.
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The University of Arizona, University Physicians Healthcare and University Medical Center work together to care for patients, educate medical students, train resident-physicians and conduct clinical and basic research. The UA Steele Children’s Research Center and UMC are working together to build Diamond Children’s Medical Center (www.diamondchildrens.org), now under construction and scheduled to open in 2010. Diamond Children’s will be Arizona’s only pediatric inpatient medical center connected to an academic research facility – the Steele Center (www.steelecenter.arizona.edu).

John McIntyre and Michele Fite of Solae discuss a new Soy Protein Isolate for weight management.

Video courtesy of foodingredientsfirst.com and nutritionhorizon.com.

“Higher blood levels of selenium may reduce the incidence of skin cancer by about 60 per cent, according to a new study from Dutch and Australian researchers.  Writing in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, the researchers report that the mineral was associated with reduced risks of both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).”

The FDA states:  Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive.

The Office of Dietary Supplements. part of NIH, states:

Selenium and cancer
Observational studies indicate that death from cancer, including lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers, is lower among people with higher blood levels or intake of selenium [1-7]. In addition, the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer is significantly higher in areas of the United States with low soil selenium content [4]. The effect of selenium supplementation on the recurrence of different types of skin cancers was studied in seven dermatology clinics in the U.S. from 1983 through the early 1990s. Taking a daily supplement containing 200 μg of selenium did not affect recurrence of skin cancer, but significantly reduced the occurrence and death from total cancers. The incidence of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer was notably lower in the group given selenium supplements [8].

Research suggests that selenium affects cancer risk in two ways. As an anti-oxidant, selenium can help protect the body from damaging effects of free radicals. Selenium may also prevent or slow tumor growth. Certain breakdown products of selenium are believed to prevent tumor growth by enhancing immune cell activity and suppressing development of blood vessels to the tumor [9].

The latest research, as stated in the nutraingredients article, was conducted at Queensland Institute of Medical Research, the University of Queensland, and Maastricht University.

“Relatively high serum selenium concentrations are associated with an approximately 60 per cent decrease in subsequent tumour incidence of both BCC and SCC,” wrote the researchers, “whereas serum concentrations of carotenoids or alpha-tocopherol are not associated with later skin cancer incidence.”

The American Institute for Cancer Research has numerous articles about selenium and cancer. http://www.aicr.org/site/DocServer/ProstateMC.pdf?docID=1641

Sources:  www.nutraingredients.com;   http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp;   www.aicr.org;

1. Russo MW, Murray SC, Wurzelmann JI, Woosley JT, Sandler RS. Plasma selenium levels and the risk of colorectal adenomas. Nutr Cancer 1997;28:125-9. [PubMed abstract]
2. Patterson BH and Levander OA. Naturally occurring selenium compounds in cancer chemoprevention trials: A workshop summary. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1997;6:63-9. [PubMed abstract]
3. Knekt P, Marniemi J, Teppo L, Heliovaara M, Aromaa A. Is low selenium status a risk factor for lung cancer? Am J Epidemiol 1998;148:975-82. [PubMed abstract]
4. Fleet JC. Dietary selenium repletion may reduce cancer incidence in people at high risk who live in areas with low soil selenium. Nutr Rev 1997;55:277-9. [PubMed abstract]
5. Shamberger RJ. The genotoxicity of selenium. Mutat Res 1985;154:29-48. [PubMed abstract]
6. Young KL and Lee PN. Intervention studies on cancer. Eur J Cancer Prev 1999;8:91-103. [PubMed abstract]
7. Burguera JL, Burguera M, Gallignani M, Alarcon OM, Burgueera JA. Blood serum selenium in the province of Merida, Venezuela, related to sex, cancer incidence and soil selenium content. J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis 1990;4:73-7. [PubMed abstract]
8. Combs GF, Jr., Clark LC, Turnbull BW. Reduction of cancer risk with an oral supplement of selenium. Biomed Environ Sci 1997;10:227-34. [PubMed abstract]
9. Combs GF, Clark LC, Turnbull BW. An analysis of cancer prevention by selenium. BioFactors 14 2001; 153-9.

The recommendation is published in the May 5 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is available on the AHRQ Web site at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsnrfol.htm.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care.  The Task Force, which is supported by AHRQ, conducts rigorous, impartial assessments of the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of a broad range of clinical preventive services, including screening, counseling, and preventive medications.  Its recommendations are considered the gold standard for clinical preventive services.

Also, go to Emax Health to learn the results of a study conducted by the CDC on pregnant women drinking alcohol

Natural remedies

Natural remedies can also help you to maintain a balanced emotional state throughout your pregnancy, especially when you may be feeling apprehensive, overwhelmed or fearful. Flower essences are gentle and safe to use during pregnancy without any harmful side effects.  Natural remedies with folic acid also promote brain health.

There is a direct relation between what you eat and how you conduct yourself.  For example:

• Your irritable and restless mood may change after you have eaten.
• Some people are more productive after a cup of coffee and a sandwich.
• If you consistently eat less food, your energy is bound to become depleted, and you are liable to lose interest in work.

Depletion in energy and lack of essential nutrients can adversely affect the chemistry of your brain by disturbing the balance of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are fundamental to the movement of nerve impulses from one cell to another. They are a crucial part of all human capabilities and responses. Lack of nutrition can impair nerves and vitiate brain functioning by disturbing concentration and reducing cognition abilities, such as problem solving.

Your brain is the most dynamic part of the body. It is metabolically very active, and consumes almost a third of the body’s energy even while at rest. While fats, carbohydrates and proteins provide energy, vitamins are essential for proper metabolism. Energy is related to the calorie content of the diet, which provides substances that are metabolized by hormones, vitamins and minerals in the body. For maintaining brain health, it is imperative that the food ingested strikes an almost perfect balance of all these nutrients.

There are many vegetables and fruits, whole foods, that supply folate.  Dietary supplements can also supply folic acid to help improve brain functioning.
Learn more about the Native Remedies range of homeopathic, herbal remedies.

]]> http://phyto-remedies.com/task-force-updates-folic-acid-recommendation/feed/ 0 http://phyto-remedies.com/asking-questions-to-get-the-care-you-need/ http://phyto-remedies.com/asking-questions-to-get-the-care-you-need/#comments Tue, 05 May 2009 16:34:34 +0000 ted http://phyto-remedies.com/?p=78 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (www.ahrq.gov) has a section called “Navigating the Healthcare System”.  In this area of the website, AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy, MD, has prepared brief, easy-to-understand advice columns for consumers to help navigate the health care system.  Dr. Clancy’s latest column is about asking your physician questions about your care.

In this article, Dr. Clancy explains the need for asking questions.  The reason is very simple:  patients who ask questions get better quality health care and often get better results.  Dr. Clancy states, “It’s hard to ask questions when you’re not sure what the problem is or how to express your concern.”  She further explains, “That’s why it is important to be prepared for appointments by thinking of your questions before your visit, writing them down and bringing them with you.”

The Web site also features a “question builder” that lets patients create a personalized list of questions to bring to their medical appointments. This is a very useful feature because it’s easy to forget a question—even a basic one—when we’re taking in a lot of new information.

The AHRQ and the Ad Council have teamed up to produce new public service announcements for the “Questions Are The Answer” campaign.  Those ads remind patients in a light-hearted way that doctors can’t read their mind.  Here is one of the public service announcements:

Fran Drescher: Ask Questions

For more information, go to AHRQ’s Navigating the Healthcare System

The species Phellodendron amurense is one of 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.  Phellodendron has also attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical industry because of the phytochemicals  it produces.  Berberine has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Jatrorrhizine may be anti-mutagenic. Phellandrine has promise as an immune suppressant. Palmatine may be a vasodilator. The phytochemical descriptions are included for informational purposes only and not for treatment purposes. The research at this stage is very preliminary. 

Traditionally, the bark is the principal part of the plant used medicinally, although oil from the fruit is also used.  The oil contains a variety of biologically active substances, including flavonoids (diosmine), alkaloids (berberine, yatroriccin, palmatine), saponins and coumarins. Medicinal applications of the oil include treatment of pancreatitis, reduction of cholesterol and sugar in blood and the treatment of various skin diseases. 

Learn more about Phellodendron amurense.  From the University of Connecticut, see pictures and learn more.

 Source: www.wikipedia.org

All-Natural Pain Relief

Nexrelief™ is comprised of two natural main ingredients; Nexrutine®, an extract from the Phellodendron tree (Cork tree), and Citri-Z® which is an all-natural, concentrated extract from citrus peel. These two key ingredients work along two distinct pathways to stop your pain at the source. They function in tandem to bring pain relief without the harmful side effects that can be experienced with many other pain relievers including NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).

Nexrelief™offers natural pain management and anti-inflammatory ingredients specially formulated to protect the stomach lining and promote healthy muscle function.

A New Class of Pain Reliever

Nexrelief™ is a new class of pain reliever that addresses pain in an altogether new way.

While other pain relievers work on reducing existing pain, Nexrelief™ works on preventing it from happening at all. It gives you all the anti-inflammation action you seek, without any of the gastrointestinal problems you hope to avoid.   And because it has no side effects, you can take one capsule up to four times daily, if needed.

Nexrelief (60 softgels) Get the best quality supplements From Solanova.com

Disclaimer: The FDA has not evaluated these statements.  No product on this blog is intended to treat, cure, diagnose or prevent disease.

The Problem:  In recent years, the public financial committment, in the form of appropriations from Congress, have not kept up with rising costs associated with running the agency.  New challenges and new public health initiatives have not received adequate funding or financial support and other pressing needs are underfunded.

The Alliance: The Alliance for a Stronger FDA unites a broad group of patient groups, consumer advocates, biomedical research advocates, health professionals, and industry to work to increase the FDA’s funding appropriations.  It is supported by leading health advocates, including three former HHS secretaries and seven FDA Commissioners.

The Solution: The FDA’s ability to operate a modern, scientifically-based program must be strengthened.  Similar to the efforts that doubled the NIH budget, we will speak out on the need for significant additional funding for the FDA.  We hope to assure the FDA has the funds to accomplish its mission of getting safe and effective therapies, foods, cosmetics, and medical products into the hands of consumers and patients, and ensuring the safety and public confidence in those products while in the marketplace.

Join the Alliance: To read the complete article and for more information about the alliance, visit the website of  The Alliance for a Stronger FDA. Ladd Wiley is the Executive Director of the Alliance and can be reached at (202) 887-4211.  Steven Grossman is the Deputy Executive Director and can be reached at (301) 879-9800.

In 2004, there were 236,000 deaths in the United States with a digestive disease as the underlying cause, which represented 9.8% of all deaths.  Summary data for individual digestive diseases are shown in the report, but there were five diseases that caused more than 10,000 deaths each.  These were liver disease and four cancers, led by colorectal cancer.  Close examination of this report will reveal many interesting and provocative pieces of statistical information about trends in various digestive diseases.

In addition, the Fiscal 2005 appropriations bills called for the creation of a National Commission on Digestive Diseases and tasked it with addressing the burden of digestive diseases and developing a long-range research plan.  The research plan can be accessed at http://NCDD.niddk.nih.gov.

The complete report,  ‘The Burden of Digestive Diseases’, can be accessed here at  NIDDK’s website.

Source: [Author(s). Chapter title. In:] Everhardt JE, editor. The burden of digestive diseases in the United States. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 2008; NIH Publication No. 09-6443 [pp. - ].