skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Link:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112165108.htmDrinking green tea could modulate the effect of smoking on lung cancer.
Drinking green tea could modulate the effect of smoking on lung cancer. (Credit: iStockphoto/Lilli Day)Results of this hospital-based, randomized study conducted in Taiwan were presented at the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer, held here from Jan. 11-14, 2010.
"Lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths in Taiwan," said I-Hsin Lin, M.S., a student at Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan. "Tea, particularly green tea, has received a great deal of attention because tea polyphenols are strong antioxidants, and tea preparations have shown inhibitory activity against tumorigenesis."
However, previous studies of green tea have been inhibited by the flaws of the epidemiologic model with its inherent biases.
Lin and colleagues enrolled 170 patients with lung cancer and 340 healthy patients as controls. The researchers administered questionnaires to obtain demographic characteristics, cigarette smoking habits, green tea consumption, dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, cooking practices and family history of lung cancer. They also performed genotyping on insulin-like growth factors as polymorphisms on the following insulin-like growth factors: IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3, which have all been reported to be associated with cancer risk.
Among smokers and non-smokers, those who did not drink green tea had a 5.16-fold increased risk of lung cancer compared with those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day. Among smokers, those who did not drink green tea at all had a 12.71-fold increased risk of lung cancer compared with those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day.
Lin and colleagues suspect genetics may play a role in this risk differential. Green tea drinkers with non-susceptible IGF1 (CA)19/(CA)19 and (CA)19/X genotypes reported a 66 percent reduction in lung cancer risk as compared with green tea drinkers carrying the IGF1 X/X genotype.
Heavy smokers carrying susceptible IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3 genotypes also had a higher risk of lung cancer compared with nonsmokers carrying non-susceptible IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3 genotypes.
"Our study may represent a clue that in the case of lung cancer, smoking-induced carcinogenesis could be modulated by green tea consumption and the growth factor environment," said Lin.
Link:http://www.exposedskincarereview.com/blog/herbal-acne-remedies-herbs-to-try/
Acne is a skin condition that happens to many people, and often the result is breakouts that develop on the face and body. Dealing with acne can be difficult, as breakouts can ruin your complexion and make you feel that you look horrible. However, even though you may despair that you can ever have the clear skin you are longing for, there are herbal acne remedies that can help and give you the relief from acne that you need. So, if you are ready to enjoy clear skin and finally get rid of the acne problem you are dealing with, you may want to try one of these herbal solutions for acne yourself.
Milk Thistle
One of many herbal acne remedies that you can use to treat your acne naturally is milk thistle. The seeds from milk thistle can be used in various ways to combat your acne problem. These seeds can be made into a powder, allowing you to easily add them to foods, such as cereals and drinks. Also, it can be used in a tincture that you can easily take as well.
Basil
Believe it or not, another great herbal remedy for acne is basil. While you may think that basil is just something that you cook with, it is great for treating skin problems. It purifies the blood and gets rid of germs as well, which are some of the main cases of the acne problem. Basil has been used for years to treat acne and various other skin conditions as well and can even be used as an acne preventative.
Burdock Root
You’ll also find that burdock root is one of the many herbal acne remedies out there that can really be a huge help. You can easily find it in various health food stores and you can add it to veggie dishes and to salads as well. The burdock root can be used in a tincture for acne treatment too.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can also be used as a treatment for acne, and while it is sometimes it is used alone to treat acne, it is used in a variety of natural treatments for acne with other ingredients as well. This herb is known for having great anti-bacterial properties and as a great astringent. It helps to remove extra oil that is on the skin and it also tightens up the pores of the skin as well.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is another well known herb that is used for acne treatment as well. It is also a great antibacterial. This herb has often been used to treat infections of the skin, blackheads, and of course acne. It is important that you never use full strength tea tree oil on your skin, since it is too strong. You should always use a solution of tea tree oil that has been diluted on the problem area.
Aloe Vera Gel
Last of all, another of the huge selection of herbal acne remedies is aloe vera gel. This herb is used for so many thing and is know for healing. It is both an astringent and an anti bacterial. You can actually apply the gel from an aloe vera plant to your skin, and it is used in a variety of great acne treatments as well.
As you can see, there are a variety of different herbal acne remedies out there that can help to choose your acne problem. If you’re looking for a great treatment that uses some of these great herbs to treat your skin, one excellent one to consider is Exposed Skin Care. This acne product uses a variety of natural ingredients and herbs to help provide an effective treatment for acne that is natural, affordable, and effective.
Link:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-various-natural-remedies-for-erectile-dysfunction.htmlThere are various natural remedies for ED and some of them are in the form of naturally occurring substances that could be taken as supplements and others are in the form of herbal remedies.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) remedies are being developed from several years. All sorts of natural remedies have been developed and tried by men. Some have proven to be effective while others have been discarded. The problems lies in the fact that not many natural remedies for ED have been clinically proven to be successful. The scientific reasons as to why and how they can treat ED remain sketchy at best. But because they are natural and have no side effects, men see no harm in trying them out.
Here are a few natural remedies that are a popular treatment option for erectile dysfunction:
Acupuncture
This method has been used to treat various disorders and medical conditions for many centuries. It’s a popular natural treatment procedure for erectile dysfunction. It’s an intervention procedure that, again, does not come with any proof of its efficacy.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid, which the body, through various processes converts into testosterone and estrogen. Testosterone is a hormone that is very important for a healthy sexual function and also maintaining sexual disorder. A decrease in its production can lead to ED. The intake of supplements having DHEA has been seen to work against ED. If you are thinking about using DHEA, it would be a good idea to consult a doctor first, before using it.
Ginseng
Ginseng, especially, Asian ginseng has been commonly used as an ED treatment option. Though not many studies have confirmed its efficacy, it continues to be highly regarded for its anti-ED properties. It is an essential ingredient of the various herbal ED pills available on the market. Before you take ginseng, it’s important that you consult your doctor about its usage. This is because there have been cases where ginseng has interacted with the current intake of a person’s medications.
L-arginine
This is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body, which improves the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the body. NO is a compound that helps the erectile ability of a person by dilating blood vessels, which results in an improved blood flow to the penis. The efficacy of L-arginine has been proven through a series of trials and tests. But there is a rider. It is seen to be effective in men who experience an abnormal metabolism rate of NO.
Pomegranate juice
There are many health benefits associated with the drinking of pomegranate juice. It is a juice rich in anti-oxidants and helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. It’s also supposed to be an effective natural remedy for ED. Although there is no conclusive proof for the same, pomegranate extract continues to be an integral component of various herbal pills used to treat ED symptoms.
Ginkgo biloba
Yet another traditional and herbal treatment option for ED, this is typically used to treat ED that is resultant of the intake of antidepressant medications. There have been various studies conducted on the effectiveness of gingko, and many of them have given it the thumbs up.
Horny goat weed
The name has nothing to do with why it’s effective. This weed has been used to treat ED for many years. Studies conducted on the horny goat weed found that a compound of the weed, icariin, resembles the drug Viagra, in its action.
There are various other natural remedies that are available for the treatment of ED and many of these remedies are being rediscovered. These natural remedies are becoming extremely popular because they are easy to take and have zero or very minimal side effects.
Link:http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2596545/vitamin_e_the_importance_of_applying.html?singlepage=true&cat=5by Will SmithThe diet is much more important than what we normally think. There are foods that can raise the pressure. There are others that we can raise the blood sugar, cholesterol. Some even we can cause cancer. However, there are also foods that can make us smarter, or more relaxed, and so on. In the strictest sense, any of the nutrients can become a drug. This happens in any deficiencies. In dehydration, for example, water becomes the most suitable drug for the patient.
A very important factor that contributes to a nutrient becomes medicine, is the dose. Today we know that, for example, vitamin A, a dose of 5,000 IU daily, simply acts as a nutrient. However a dose of 200,000 IU, the same vitamin A acts as an immunostimulant (ie, which stimulates our immune system). However, at higher doses, some 600,000 IU or more will act as an anti-tumor drug. The form of vitamin A palmitate can be toxic, as it is fat soluble and stored in the liver. Therefore, only be used in emulsified form and under the supervision of a physician. Recently it shown retinoic acid (a form of vitamin A) stimulates the regeneration of hearing cells in mammals, which could help in sensor neural deafness.
The scientific community to recognize this ability of nutrients into medicines, he coined a new term to describe them. It has called biological response modifier (BRM). MRB is a natural product that has the ability to stimulate the defense mechanisms of our body, causing no major physiological changes to the appropriate dosage, as is the case of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, friendly bacteria, the enzymes, amino acids, and other plant products. It importance is such today that during the "Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment Symposum" (Symposium on Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment) conducted in Tulsa, devoted several papers to the exclusive use of these BRMs.
One nutrient that has received much attention from the orthodox medical community is vitamin E. In addition to all the people the powers given to vitamin E, recent studies have conducted very careful about its use as a drug, in this case as an MRB. For example, in a study conducted in Uppsala in Sweden Univiersidad showed that vitamin E has a beneficial effect on ischemic heart disease by its ability to reduce neutrophil chemo taxis. On the other hand, it verified that vitamin E can reduce myocardial infarct size with a single high dose or repeated low doses. In another study at the University of Naples, Italy, demonstrated that administration of pharmacological doses of vitamin E is a useful tool to reduce oxidative stress and improve insulin action in diabetic patients. Also shown that vitamin E may reduce the tissue damage induced by exercise and lipid peroxidation during exercise training.
In a medical journal called Movement disorders, one speaks of the usefulness of vitamin E in neurological problems such as late and diquinesia Parkinson's disease. Both conditions are possible mechanisms that can be explain by the pathology of free radicals. Because vitamin E is an antioxidant, may be beneficial for these diseases. In a double blind, controlled, many patients showed more than 50% reduction in all its signs of dyskinesia. In Parkinson's patients, it was note that had fewer abnormalities, fewer complications for conventional therapy and better performance of daily activities.
Link:http://www.zeenews.com/news596161.htmlLondon: In a major breakthrough that could treat millions of patients suffering with malaria in developing countries like India, British scientists claimed to have unlocked the genetic map of the plant used to cure the disease.
Scientists at University of York, UK, have mapped the genes of the medicinal herb Artemisia annua, and predicted that the high-yielding anti-malaria crops would be available for wide spread plantation within two years around the globe.
The discovery, according to the researchers, could save countless lives especially in the African continent and developing countries like India and China. Malaria affects 300 to 500 million people in the world and kills more than one million every year.
According to Professor Ian Graham who led the study, Artemisia annua seeds are already being planted in field trials in India, China, East Africa and Madgascar.
"It's a major milestone for the development of this crop," Professor Graham told BBC News, adding that it would be a profitable crop for farmers in low- and middle-income countries.
Artemisinin combination therapies, or ATCs, are used widely to treat malaria and are seen as the best solution to the parasite's increasing resistance to anti-malarial drugs.
Prof Graham hoped that new higher yielding and more robust varieties could increase global supply of the malaria treatment within three years.
Link:http://www.naturalnews.com/027958_bronchitis_natural_remedies.htmlby: David VictorBronchitis is a relatively common illness that often follows a cold or flu and can affect anybody young or old. Whether you have acute bronchitis after a cold or chronic bronchitis brought on by recurring illnesses or smoking, there are natural remedies you can use to cure it and make sure it doesn`t come back. The key is to support your body with nutrients so it can heal.
Bronchitis is a disease where the air tubes in the lungs, the bronchi, are enflamed and can either be acute or chronic. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include coughing, chest pain, and fever which often follows a cold or flu. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis are more severe and include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and exhaustion.
Bronchitis is often preceded by the common cold or flu. The treatment of these common illnesses can actually cause bronchitis. Most conventional treatments for a cold or flu focus on suppressing the symptoms like coughing. By keeping the body from expelling germs and mucus, the mucus can get trapped in the lungs where it becomes infected causing bronchitis.
At the first sign of disease that can lead to bronchitis, it is important to start combating it. The best way to combat any disease is to give your body the support it needs to fight it by itself. There are some basic vitamins and minerals you can take to support your body and some herbal remedies to help ease the symptoms while your body heals.
Taking vitamins A, C, and E as well as beta-carotene and zinc can give your body the support it needs. Vitamin A is important for lung health. Vitamin C is an antihistamine and supports the immune system. Vitamin E helps in the healing of tissues. Beta-carotene is helpful for lung health and tissue repair. Zinc also supports tissue repair.
While your body is healing, there are some things you can do to help ease your symptoms, particularly the coughing. Peppermint tea is a good way to soothe your cough. A ginseng tea can help eliminate infection and can also soothe coughing fits. A drink of crushed ginger, honey, and a little lime can also help you soothe a cough. These drinks can help you and are usually pretty tasty.
Another thing you can do to help recover from a bout of bronchitis is to strengthen your lungs. Blowing up balloons is a simple way to strengthen your lungs after they have been infected. Doing yoga may also help you regulate your breathing and strengthen your lungs.
You can even make some dietary changes that help your body get rid of the germs and toxins that contributed to your illness. A juice fast of fresh vegetable and fruit juices can help you. Just remember, your symptoms, like the coughing, will persist while your body gets rid of the germs and toxins. The goal is to get them out of your body so you can get healthy again.
If you use these simple remedies, you can start feeling better without using the chemical concoctions most people use. This is good because the use of "traditional" medicines like cough suppressants can actually be the cause of illnesses like bronchitis and can keep you from getting better, so you definitely should stay away from them.
Link:http://www.naturalnews.com/027957_gout_homeopathy.htmlby: Melanie GrimesHomeopathic medicine has a long history in treating and curing gout. Homeopathic remedies are useful to reduce the swelling and inflammation as well as aid in the healing of the joints. Gout is caused by the build-up of uric acid in the joints, particularly of the hands and feet. The swelling puts pressure on and causes enlargement of the area, which can lead to extreme pain. Many homeopathic remedies reduce the swelling and aid in the digestion of the proteins, which cause the uric acid build-up.
Avoiding the foods that contain these uric acid causing conditions is advised. Red meat, poultry and fish are the main sources. Exercise and drinking plenty of water also helps remove the uric acid from the blood. Chronic gout can lead to arthritis and degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis.
Homeopathic Remedies for Gout
Aconite (Aconitum) is made from a plant that grows in the mountains of Europe. Though aconite is a poison in its herbal state, it has been found to be safe, even for infants, in homeopathic dilution. The name Aconite comes from the Greek word meaning "rocky" describing the plants native habitat. Symptoms come on suddenly, particularly after exposure to a cold wind. Gout pain that might be successfully treated with Aconite may also include symptoms of anxiousness or great anxiety. Aconite is especially useful in gout of the feet joints and is best used in the early onset of symptoms.
Nux vomica is made from the seeds of the Strychnos plant, which grows in Asia, particularly in India and China. Used as a botanical in traditional Chinese Medicine, Nux vomica is also a useful homeopathic remedy for gout. The gout patient who needs Nux vomica may be irritable and suffer from stomach distress and chronic indigestion.
Colchicum is a common homeopathic remedy used to treat gout. The gout that is best treated with Colchicum is when the joint is red and very sensitive to touch. These gout pains are worse with any motion and better when lying still.
Ledum is used in gout of the big toe. Ledum is a useful remedy to use after Colchicum, or if there has been an overuse of Colchicine, a drug commonly used to treat gout that is made of the Colchicum plant. Ledum is used to treat gout when the person feels chilled and the joint is also cold.
Homeopathic remedies are sold over-the-counter in many health food and specialty food stores. These remedies are labeled for their indications and are mostly available in the potencies of 6c or 30c.
