Thursday 18 September 2014

GINGER FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

Arthritis is the common disease of old age people whose age is above 40. Arthritis is more common in women than in men. Basically, arthritis is a common group of disease that involves the damaged body joints. There are many types and form of arthritis, of which the most common form of is the Osteoarthritis which is affecting millions of people around the globe. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of the bones degenerates over time. Obesity may also lead to the major cause of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis may be also referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis.
Signs and Symptoms
Osteoarthritis often affect slowly but it gets worsen over time. The main symptoms observed in the osteoarthritis include pain in various body joints, the joints become tender or very sensitive, or stiffness of the joints which can be easily observed when the patient wake up in the morning.
Treatment
Various medications and drugs are available for the treatment of osteoarthritis, of which one of the best and proven natural remedy is the use of ginger for the treatment of the same.
Zingiber officinale which is commonly known as ginger by the common people have great medicinal values and is used for treatment therapy for curing wide range of diseases. Through various research it has been proved that ginger contains various anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols that plays the major role in treating osteoarthritis to a great extent.
The scientific studies that were generally conducted used powdered ginger roots, fresh ginger roots at an equivalent dosage which proved to have given better results against osteoarthritis. These ginger extracts reduces the production of various chemical substances (for e.g. Leukotrienes) that are the main substances that promote joint pain and inflammation.
An example of chemical trial that was conducted from Australia’s Edith Cowan University to confirm the use of ginger for the treatment of osteoarthritis is mentioned below.
In this research 20 patients were recruited who were suffering from osteoarthritis. Each patients were under the observation period for 24 weeks where they were given ginger patch for treatment. Improvements started showing within 2 weeks of the treatments where the patients experienced reduced joint pain and increased mobility of the joint.
Most of the studies utilizes 1 gm of powdered ginger root or fresh ginger roots or an equivalent dosage of both have also been proven effective.

Ginger tea have also proved to be effective against osteoarthritis.

Tuesday 16 September 2014

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes systematic inflammation of the joints. Autoimmune disorder is the disorder that occur when the body’s tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system.
    A joint is where two bones meet to allow movement of body parts. Arthritis means joint inflammation. The joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in the joints. The inflammation of rheumatoid disease can also occur in tissues around the joints, such as the tendons, ligaments, and muscles.(1)
Although Rheumatoid Arthritis can occur at any age, but it usually occurs after the age of 40. According to the recent studies it has been seen that the disorder is more common in women than in men.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:
Ø  Tender, warm, swollen joints
Ø  Morning stiffness that may last for hours
Ø  Firm bumps of tissue under the skin of the arms
Ø  Fatigue, fever and weight loss.
Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joints to deform and shift out of place.(2)
CAUSES
Doctors still have no clue what exactly causes Rheumatoid Arthritis, although genetic components are most likely to be involved. Smoking is the most significant non-genetic risk.(3)
TREATMENTS
OMEGA- FATTY ACIDS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
There is no proper cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Medications can reduce the inflammation in the joints in order to get relief from pain and prevent or slow down the joint damage. The drugs mainly given as a medication for rheumatoid arthritis have several side effects.
However, a 2012 systematic review concluded that the omega-3 fatty acid found in seafood and fish oil may be modestly helpful in relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In the studies included many participants reported that taking fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acid had less joint swelling and pain, and less need for anti-inflammatory drugs to control the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.(4)
Omega-3 fatty acids exist in two forms namely;
Ø  Long-chain forms (DHA) which is found in higher levels in oily fish
Ø  Short chain forms mainly found in rapeseed oil, walnuts etc.
Amongst the classic inflammatory conditions, fish oil have been extensively used as a topic of research for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Animal models have been demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids can delay the onset of arthritis, reduce its severity and improve joint pathology.
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are very much essential for the human health, but the body can’t make them and hence it is given as the supplement with the food an individual take. Omega-3fatty acid have turned out to be best supplement that can be used as the supplement to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, other sea food including algae and krill, some plants and nut oils. Also termed as Polyunsaturated Fatty acids (PUFAs). Omega-e fatty acids play an important role in proper functioning of the brain, as well as the normal growth and development. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week. The most widely studied omega-3 fatty acids namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosaxaenoic acid (DHA) have various effects in the body. In the immune systems, EPA is a precursor for eicosanoids, which are messenger molecules that are less inflammatory. EPA and DHA also produces inflammatory molecules called resolvins ( Norling and Peretti), and reduce the expression of gene that produces inflammatory components (Calder). As rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammatory molecules attacking healthy cells, reducing inflammation can treat the cause of the disease.(5)
Laboratory studies of University of Maryland suggests that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids (and low in the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids) may help people with osteoarthritis, although more study is needed for the same. New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), another source of omega-fatty acids, has been reported to reduce joint stiffness and pain, increase grip strength, and improve walking pace in a small group of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Exceptionally, in some cases the symptoms got worse before they are improved.
An analysis of 17 randomized, controlled clinical trials looked at the pain relieving effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in people with rheumatoid arthritis or joint pain caused by inflammatory bowel disease and painful menstruation. The results suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, along with conventional therapies such as Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may help relieve joint pain associated with these condition.(6)
The influence of omega-3 fatty acids on the functional responses of various cell types involved in inflammation and on the production of the rage of chemical mediators produced has been a favorite topic for research of many. Various reports have been found over the year which states the effects of omega-3 fatty acids acts in anti-inflammatory manner, with more recent studies suggesting that they may be involved in the resolution of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3fatty acids are widely reviewed round the globe. The ability of omega-3 fatty acid to down-regulate several aspects of inflammation suggests that these fatty acids might be important in determining the development and severity of inflammatory diseases and further they may be used as a useful component of therapy.
The main mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of omega-3 fatty acid include altered cell membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition, disruption of lipid rafts, inhibition of activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B so reducing expression of inflammatory genes, activation of the anti-inflammatory transcription factor NR1C3 (i.e. peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ˠ) and binding to the G-protein.
For e.g., Cleland et al. found that patients with RA who use fish oil supplements were more likely to reduce the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with respect to those patients that did not use fish oil as the supplement. The dose of omega-3 fatty acids used in these trials has typically been high, between about 1 and 7g/day and averaging about 3.5g/day. This dose would equate to 50mg per kg body wt. per day which is quite difficult to get it achieved through supplement diet or liquid oil.(7)
However, in the current studies that are been conducted recently used a low dose of 0.4 gms per day, which is able to be obtained from diet and a high dose of 5.5 gms per day. Patients who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis over many years were asked for the participation in the clinical trials that were conducted. The progression of rheumatoid arthritis, including joint deformities can be delayed if the treatment is started early to reduce the excessive amounts of inflammatory molecules in the body. The fish oil treatment was additional to the use of a single first-line disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARDs). The patients were guided by the physicians during the one-year study. After one year of supplementation, the researchers found that the patients in the high dose had a lower failure rate of first-line treatment. In the high-dose group, only 10% reported failure of DMARDs, while in a low-dose group, 32% reported DMARD failure. This meant that for around one quarter patients, fish oil supplementation and the first-line treatment were enough to stabilize rheumatoid arthritis, and for a further two-thirds, the first-line treatment was likely sufficient.
Various other meta-analyses results are also conducted for eg., Lee, Bae and Song analyzed ten clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis patients and found that omega-3 supplements significantly reduced the use of common pain killers. Trials also found a non-significantly reduction in the number of tender and swollen joints, improvements in physical function, and less joint stiffness in the morning. The dose should be at least 2.7 gms per day, and the supplements should be taken for longer than 3 months.(8)
However, omega-3 fatty acid intake do have some side effects in the human body. While conducting various research studies it has been found that the patients who were undertaking the omega-3 fatty acid as the supplement had mild stomach upsets and diarrhea. Recently, there have been concerns about the possible link between high levels of omega-3 fatty acid and prostate cancer.  It is also often dangerous to take fish liver oil in large doses because of the risk of overdosing with vitamin A. this is particularly important for the pregnant women, or women who are likely to get pregnant, because vitamin A can harm the newborn baby. Hence, it is always recommended to consult the dose of omega-3 fatty acids before intake.
 Unlike prescription medications, fish oil does not appear to slow progression of rheumatoid arthritis, only to treat the symptoms. Joint damage still occurs.

DOSE OF INTAKE
Researchers suggest that one need at least 2.7 gm per day of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil act quite slowly so it is recommended that one must have at least 3 months supplements of fish oil for having effective results. It is always recommended to have omega-3 fatty acid along with the diet that a person is having to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.




REFERNCES;
2.      www.medicinenet.com
3.      www.wikipedia.org
4.      Omega-3 fatty acids- university of Maryland medical Centre
5.      Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory process: effects, mechanisms and clinical relevance: Calder PC
6.      Omega-3 fatty acids, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation: Julia Bird
7.      The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids: Linda Richards
9.      Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: nutrition or pharmacology? : Philip C Calder

10.  Rheumatoid arthritis: William C Shiel Jr. MD, FACP, FACR

Saturday 12 July 2014

Apple boosts sexual pleasure in women

A new study reportedly has linked daily apple use with an enhanced sexual function in healthy women. Apples contain polyphenols and antioxidants that can stimulate blood flow to the genitals leading to better arousal. Researchers have performed the experiments on various women. They found that women who had one-two apples had beter lubricaton and sexual function.  The study says, apple contain phloridzin, that is structurally similar to estradiol, a female sex hormones linked with arousing sexuality

Source- hyderabad times.

Can smelling herbs help you sleep better?

Herbs are known to have sevral benefits. One of them, lavender, is said to aid sleep. Put a few drops on the pillow eac night will help one to reduce anxiety, stress and mood swings and calms the nerves. There are some other herbs which are beneficial as well, namely,
1. Cilantro helps to improve bone strength
2. Basil have anti bacterial properties. It is also anti inflammatory and cures mouth ulcers. Basil leaves are boiled in water which helps to cure sore throat.
3. Parsley is a power house of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins which helps to regulate blood cholesterol levels and prevents constipation.
4. Apart from imparting flavour to food, lemon grass also have antifungal properties and its stems are said to have folic acid content.

Sources- hyderabad times.

Monday 31 March 2014

CARBOHYDRATE DIGESTION AND OBESITY STRONGLY LINKED


New research indicates that obesity in the general population may be genetically linked to how our bodies digest carbohydrates. The study investigated the relationship between body weight and a gene called AMY1, which is responsible for an enzyme present in our saliva known as salivary amylase. This enzyme is the first to be encountered by food when it enters the mouth, and it begins the process of starch digestion that then continues in the gut.
People usually have two copies of each gene, but in some regions of our DNA there can be variability in the number of copies a person carries, which is known as copy number variation. The number of copies of AMY1 can be highly variable between people, and it is believed that higher numbers of copies of the salivary amylase gene have evolved in response to a shift towards diets containing more starch since prehistoric times.
Researchers from Imperial College London, in collaboration with other international institutions, looked at the number of copies of the gene AMY1 present in the DNA of thousands of people from the UK, France, Sweden and Singapore. They found that people who carried a low number of copies of the salivary amylase gene were at greater risk of obesity.
The chance of being obese for people with less than four copies of the AMY1 gene was approximately eight times higher than in those with more than nine copies of this gene. The researchers estimated that with every additional copy of the salivary amylase gene there was approximately a 20 per cent decrease in the odds of becoming obese.
Professor Philippe Froguel, Chair in Genomic Medicine in the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, and one of the lead authors on the study, said: "I think this is an important discovery because it suggests that how we digest starch and how the end products from the digestion of complex carbohydrates behave in the gut could be important factors in the risk of obesity. Future research is needed to understand whether or not altering the digestion of starchy food might improve someone's ability to lose weight, or prevent a person from becoming obese. We are also interested in whether there is a link between this genetic variation and people's risk of other metabolic disorders such as diabetes, as people with a low number of copies of the salivary amylase gene may also be glucose intolerant."
Previous studies have found rare genetic variations causing extreme forms of obesity, but because they occur in only a small number of people, they explained very little of the differences in body weight we see in the population. On the other hand, research on more common genetic variations that increase risk of obesity in the general population have so far generally found only a modest effect on obesity risk. This study is novel in that it identifies a genetic variation that is both common and has a relatively large effect on the risk of obesity in the general population. The number of copies of the salivary amylase gene is highly variable between people, and so, given this finding, can potentially have a large impact on our individual risk of obesity.
The first step of the study involved the analysis of genetic data from a Swedish family sample of 481 participants, recruited on the basis of sibling-pairs where one was obese and the other non-obese. The researchers used these data to short-list genes whose copy number differences influence body mass index (BMI), and identified the gene coding for the enzyme salivary amylase (AMY1) as the one with the greatest influence on body weight in their analysis. They then investigated the relationship between the number of times the AMY1 gene was repeated on chromosome 1 in each individual and their risk of obesity, by studying approximately 5,000 subjects from France and the UK.
Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by Imperial College LondonNote: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference:
  1. M. Falchi et al. Low copy number of the salivary amylase gene predisposes to obesityNature Genetics, 2014 DOI: 10.1038/ng.2939

Sunday 16 March 2014

Sugar: time bomb....

New sugar limits: 26 'mini health time bombs' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10680467/New-sugar-limits-26-mini-health-time-bombs.html

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Early tumor response from stereotactic radiosurgery predicts outcome

The response of a patient with metastatic brain tumors to treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery in the first six-to-twelve weeks can indicate whether follow-up treatments and monitoring are necessary, according to research conducted at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
          The study of 52 patients with metastatic brain legions, found that the tumors whose sizes decreased significantly after treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) did not resume growth or require additional treatment. The research, conducted by a team led by Matthew G. Ewend, MD, chair of the UNC Department of Neurosurgery and member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, could reduce the need to continually monitor patients who respond well to SRS.
 The volume of the tumors over time was measured to see the outcome, based on what happened in the beginning, what would happen long term.It was that tumors that did not shrink in the beginning were more likely later to be correlated to a patient having a neurological problem or needing steroids. If they did shrink, they were more likely to stay under control long term."
The advent of SRS systems allows physicians to target tumors with precise, high-dose beams of radiation. While the technique is in widespread use, current practice requires repeated check-ups to determine its effectiveness. The results of this study indicate that this monitoring may only be necessary for patients who do not respond favorably within the first six to twelve weeks after SRS treatment.
 few MRIs  scans are necessary afterwards for a good response.
Between 20 and 40 percent of adults with cancer develop brain tumors, which metastasize from cancers elsewhere in the body. The number of brain tumors treated by physicians has increased, as better treatments for the cancers that spawn them increase patient survival. Because of the systemic nature of these cancers, the survival implications of positive early response depend largely on how patients respond to therapy for their initial cancer.
"This is not in a vacuum. Even if you control the brain disease, they can still die of their other disease. With better control of the brain disease, the patients have a better chance of living longer, but it will take both improvements in systemic therapy and brain therapy," said Dr. Ewend.
The UNC study included patients with lung, breast, melanoma and renal cell cancers. It builds on prior research that indicated a similar response in patients with clear cell renal cancer. Dr. Ewend said that future research will need to increase the number of patients to reinforce the results and determine what factors influence positive early response. One possibility for future research is to determine the genetic factors behind tumor response, which will allow researchers to develop a genetic test to help predict a patient's outcome.

Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by University of North Carolina School of MedicineNote: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference: Suzanne R. Sharpton, Eric K. Oermann, Dominic T. Moore, Eric Schreiber, Riane Hoffman, David E. Morris, Matthew G. Ewend. The Volumetric Response of Brain Metastases After Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Its Post-treatment ImplicationsNeurosurgery, 2014; 74 (1): 9 DOI: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000000190