Then and now, LSD is followed by controversy. Considered mind-altering, some proponents believe it lowers brain barriers and opens consciousness.

But, it’s illegal, and not without risk. It can cause hallucinations that can persist and may be linked to schizophrenia, rapid heart rate, increased body temperature, delusions and even psychosis.

That hasn’t stopped researchers from exploring the potential health benefits of the drug. It’s been tested as a treatment for stroke-related brain damage as well as for depression, anxiety and addiction — because it can shift blood flow in the brain, reduce negative emotions and induce blissful states.

Obviously, it would be great if there were a way to get the benefits of LSD without any of the risks. One research team may be onto how — and it’s literally as easy as breathing…

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Breathwork could reduce psychological distress

Use of breathwork as a therapeutic tool for psychological distress is becoming more popular because some versions of it can lead to altered states of consciousness (ASCs) similar to those evoked by psychedelic substances like LSD.

High-ventilation breathwork (HVB), which involves gradually increasing the rate and depth of ventilation, has strong potential as a non-pharmacological alternative for treating psychological distress.

However, the neurobiological mechanisms and subjective experience underlying HVB’s impact on taking the mind to an altered state haven’t been studied extensively.

To fill this information gap, Amy Amla Kartar of Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the United Kingdom and colleagues characterized ASCs induced by HVB in experienced practitioners. They did so by analyzing self-reported data from 15 individuals who participated online, eight who participated in the lab, and 19 who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

They participated in a 20- to 30-minute session of cyclic breathing without pausing while listening to music. Then they answered a series of questionnaires within 30 minutes of finishing the breathwork session.

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The results were impressive. During all experimental sessions, participants reported reduced fear and negative emotions, with no adverse reactions. Across participants and experimental settings, HVB reliably enhanced ASCs dominated by Oceanic Boundlessness (OBN).

OBN is a term describing a set of feelings that include spiritual experiences, insightfulness, a blissful state, positively experienced depersonalization, and the experience of unity. It’s considered a defining aspect of ASCs evoked by psychedelics like psilocybin, the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms.”

The intensity of ASCs evoked by HVB caused a profound decrease in blood flow to parts of the brain implicated in representing the internal state of the body, including breathing, while increasing blood flow to brain regions involved in the processing of emotional memories. These blood flow changes correlated with psychedelic experiences, meaning they may be the source of the positive effects of the breathwork.

Interestingly, the intensity of HVB-induced ASCs was proportional to cardiovascular sympathetic activation, as indicated by a decrease in heart rate variability. This suggests a potential stress response, indicating that the positive changes induced by ASCs may occur even while the body’s stress response is activated.

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Getting started with breathwork

In short, this type of breathwork, combined with music, appears to induce altered states resembling those of psychedelics, calming negative emotions while reshaping brain activity.

The researchers caution that more research is needed. Still, the research—the first to use neuroimaging to map the neurophysiological changes caused by breathwork—indicates that breathwork may be a powerful tool in addressing psychological conditions.

You can find plenty of information online to practice breathwork. However, it’s not recommended to practice high-ventilation breathwork on your own, at least not until you have become adept at it.

It’s more intense, and without an experienced therapy guide during a session, you could experience dizziness, hyperventilation, fainting, or even become emotionally overwhelmed.

Seek a referral from a functional medicine clinic, specialist, counselor or wellness spa in your area to connect with a knowledgeable therapist  — and get ready to feel the bliss.

Sources:

Scientists reveal how breathwork unlocks psychedelic bliss in the brain — ScienceDaily

Neurobiological substrates of altered states of consciousness induced by high ventilation breathwork accompanied by music — PLOS One

LSD — Drugs.com

What is ‘breathwork’? And do I need to do it? — University of Wollongong Australia

High ventilation breathwork practices: An overview of their effects, mechanisms, and considerations for clinical applications — Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

The post Unlock bliss to relieve anxiety, depression and more appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, 12% of men will be affected by a UTI — a problem that can become chronic.

And some men are more susceptible than others, leaving them open to the extreme pain, bleeding and sepsis these infections can cause.

Here are the six most common causes behind this increased susceptibility…

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6 ways men get UTIs

#1 – BPH

Benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, is one of the leading causes of UTIs in men.

That’s because when the prostate enlarges, it compresses the urethra, blocking the flow of urine. This can increase the chances of bacteria building up and lead to a UTI.

#2 – Kidney stones

As with BPH, kidney stones can cause a blockage in the urinary tract that leads to a buildup of urine in the bladder. When this happens, bacteria can multiply and take over, resulting in a UTI.

Additionally, as kidney stones pass through the tiny tubes of the urinary tract, they scrape and irritate the sides, leaving a pathway open for those bad bacteria.

#3 – Diabetes

Because diabetes can negatively affect your immune system, it can leave you open to a wide variety of infections, including UTIs.

Research has also revealed that the high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes result in a decrease in psoriasin, an important natural antibiotic that protects against urinary tract infections.

#4 – Age

Like with many medical conditions, UTIs become more common in men with age. In fact, while younger men rarely experience a UTI, men older than 50 tend to get more infections.

This can be due to the increased likelihood of prostate enlargement, which prevents full emptying of the bladder. Other issues that are more likely to be seen with age that can cause problems with bladder emptying may include nerve damage from stroke or injury to the spine.

#5 – Medical procedures/catheter use

Surgeries or exams of the urinary tract can also increase a man’s chances of suffering a UTI.

Catheters, which are thin tubes inserted into the urethra to reach the bladder to assist emptying it in people who can’t urinate on their own, are another known UTI risk.

#6 – Anatomical abnormalities

Structural deformities of the urinary tract, including abnormal narrowing, can prevent urine from leaving the body normally and lead to bacterial growth.

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6 steps to avoid UTIs

The good news is that while these six issues can make men more likely to end up with a painful UTI, there are easy steps that can be taken to prevent these bacterial takeovers.

The first is to empty the bladder often. After all, as urine builds up, so can bacteria.

Next, be sure to drink plenty of liquids, especially water.

It’s also wise to avoid bladder irritants when possible, like sugary foods and carbonated or caffeinated drinks.

I also recommend taking D-mannose and probiotics regularly to keep UTIs at bay.

D-mannose is a natural fruit sugar that helps prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. And it’s been shown to be effective at keeping recurrent UTIs at bay.

And of course, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help keep your body’s microbiome in balance to prevent bad bacteria from taking over your urinary tract.

Finally, don’t throw out the old wisdom for the new…

Cranberries are still a great, natural option for UTI prevention and are now research-backed.

Studies have shown that cranberry products (like juices and supplements) are linked to a lower risk of recurring UTIs. And they’ve proven that the polyphenols in cranberries work by keeping E. coli (the bacteria behind most UTIs) from sticking to the urinary tract lining.

Sources:

Urinary tract infections in men: Here are 10 things to know — CNN

All you need to know about UTIs in men — MedicalNewsToday

How Does a Male Get a UTI? Causes of UTIs in Men — MedicineNet

UTIs in Men: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment — WebMD

Why people with diabetes have more UTIs and how to prevent infections — MedicalNewsToday

3 steps to avoid recurrent urinary tract infections — Easy Health Options

The post 6 conditions that increase UTIs in men appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

This painful condition is not the subject of this post, so let me be brief and say that it causes unpredictable jolts of electric pain through the head and jaw.

It wasn’t until 2014 that a friend told me to try CBD oil.

Marijuana? You mean pot?? That was my initial reaction. How far we’ve come.

But let me tell you, it was like a wonder drug. It eased the pain that my anti-seizure medication was unable to touch.

So, why am I here singing the praises of cannabis as medicine once again?

First, because, while the federal government’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has finally re-classified medical marijuana from a highly addictive substance like heroin to a “schedule 3” drug that’s medically valuable and not nearly as addictive (Tylenol with codeine is a schedule 3 drug), there’s still stigma around using cannabis medicinally.

And, secondly, because current research continues to prove that medicinal cannabis can improve people’s quality of life when conventional drugs let them down…

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The value of medicinal cannabis: what we already know

Over the past decade or so, study after study, as well as personal reports, have demonstrated how cannabis can help people troubled by a variety of conditions, including Lyme disease,  hypertension, and chronic insomnia.

Studies have shown that CBD, the non-psychoactive part of cannabis (it doesn’t make you “high”), is able to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

And CBD can help quell the pain of arthritis and other conditions where people usually turn to dangerous NSAIDs for relief.

Now, an Australian study again confirms the power of medicinal cannabis to improve quality of life safely.

Improves health-related quality of life for up to a year

Since 2016, more than a million Australians with chronic health conditions have been prescribed medical cannabis.

A group of researchers from Australian medical schools set out to assess overall health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a sample of patients who were prescribed medicinal cannabis oil.

They wanted to see whether patient-reported improvements after three months in levels of pain, anxiety, and depression, as well as improvements in sleep and motor function, would be maintained after a year.

Their findings revealed that, among the more than 2,300 participants, improvements in HRQL, as well as a reduction in fatigue and sleep disturbances, were maintained throughout the 12-month period.

The improvements were deemed both statistically significant and clinically meaningful.

Even without a control group that would have enabled them to attribute these results directly to medical cannabis, the study authors are confident that medicinal cannabis may improve overall quality of life and help relieve depression, insomnia, fatigue and anxiety.

They add, “This is promising news for patients who are not responding to conventional medicines for these conditions.”

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If you want to try medical cannabis

Facilities that sell medical cannabis are commonly known as dispensaries. In the US, cannabis dispensaries generally do not require a prescription in states where recreational cannabis is legal. For medical cannabis, a healthcare professional’s recommendation or certification is usually needed, not a prescription. 

Shops selling CBD oil and edibles are legal in the US, but owners must adhere to certain regulations. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived CBD products (containing less than 0.3% THC) at the federal level. However, individual states can have their own laws regarding CBD, including its sale and use. 

It’s not known if the hemp-derived products, like CBD oil, would impact quality of life as well as medicinal cannabis oil, which contains varying levels of THC (usually higher than what’s in CBD oil).

But I can testify to how much CBD oil helped my trigeminal neuralgia pain. I have also read that CBD oil and edibles help some people with pain relief, anxiety reduction, improved sleep, and potentially even support certain mental health conditions.

If you have a condition that is weighing down the quality of your life, despite medical treatment, medicinal cannabis or other easily accessible products, like CBD oil, could help. There is a lot of scientific evidence of their efficacy and safety, but if you are taking other medications, it is best to consult your doctor.

However, some CBD products have been found to have higher levels of THC than indicated on the label, so be sure you plan to be home for an extended period when you try a product for the first time.

Editor’s note: Have you heard of the entourage effect? Dozens of studies show it is now the most effective way to get the most out of a CBD supplement. If full-spectrum, doctor-approved, highly bioavailable CBD oil is for you, click here!

Sources:

Medicinal cannabis is linked to long-term benefits in health-related quality of life — EurekAlert

Improvements in health-related quality of life are maintained long-term in patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia: The QUEST Initiative 12-month follow-up observational study — PLOS One

The post Medicinal cannabis linked to health-related quality of life appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But should we be worried about this fungus among us? Could the future of humanity be in the hands of a zombifying fungus?

While cordyceps is quite adept at “infecting” specific bugs in a gruesome way — attaching spores that grow tendrils throughout a host’s body and hijacking it to travel and distribute more fungus spores — you should know what it does to humans…

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Cordyceps’ history with (hopefully not the last of) us

There are hundreds of medicinal mushroom species. There are around 600 species of cordyceps alone.

But cordyceps, though commonly referred to as a mushroom, is technically not one…

Because of that parasitic habit of growing on insects, they are considered entomopathogenic fungi. Don’t get hung up on the technicalities, though — cordyceps has a long history with humans as a healing, functional food.

Mushrooms are rich sources of unique health-promoting compounds and have been used in Chinese medicine and other traditional healing systems for thousands of years. Cordyceps is near the top.

One family of carbohydrates found in mushrooms is beta-glucans, which have a particular affinity for immune cells. They stimulate macrophages, lymphocytes, T-cells and Natural Killer cells. They are primarily focused on our innate immunity, the immune system’s first responders.

But mushrooms do more than boost your immunity; they “train” immune cells to respond appropriately to pathogens, toxins, cancerous cells and other dangers. Medicinal mushrooms are unique to this purpose, as they boost immunity and help calm an overactive autoimmune response. This can be pretty helpful when addressing autoimmune conditions.

Cordyceps are specifically reported to enrich the bone marrow. They also have demonstrated anti-tumor activity.

Like reishi, cordyceps support athletic performance, increasing cellular energy production and oxygen utilization. One study found that cordyceps improved endurance in older people.

In addition to boosting mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization, cordyceps help detoxify the body and support the adrenals.

They also promote healthy heart function by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL (the good variety).

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Should you be worried about becoming cordyceps spawn?

In a recent Nature paper, Dr. Jim Kronstad, a professor and microbiologist at UBC’s Michael Smith Laboratories, and co-authors, highlight a warming climate as a potential contributor to the spread of harmful fungi like Coccidioides, which causes valley fever, and the current rise of Candida auris, which infects hospitalized patients and is resistant to available antifungal drugs.

The authors also noted the discovery of a new fungus last year, Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis — in humans — previously found only in soil.

R. fluvialis was discovered in the blood of two unrelated patients with serious underlying health conditions. One patient was a 61-year-old who died in an ICU in Nanjing in 2013. The other patient was an 85-year-old who died in 2016 after being treated in an ICU in Tianjin. The report doesn’t note whether the fungal infection directly contributed to the patients’ deaths or if they just happened to be infected at the time.

These are undoubtedly isolated cases. And so far, cordyceps is keeping its distance from humans.

As Dr. Kronstad says, “Fungi are super important, it’s phenomenal what they’ve done for humans.”

Using Cordyceps

Cordyceps, since they grow like slim tendrils, are often used more efficiently as a powder, which is popularly used in supplements and teas.

You can take the tendrils, referred to as “fruited bodies,” and boil them in water to make cordyceps tea. But just knowing those tendrils fruited out of an insect body is enough to turn me off of that idea.

Sources:

The new season of The Last of Us has a spore-ting chance at realism — Science Daily

The Last of Us Season 2: A Q&A with Dr. Jim Kronstad about fungal infections and climate change — The University of British Columbia

Unusual ways to boost your energy — Easy Health Options

New fungal infection discovered in China — Live Science

The post Cordyceps: Superfood or Brain-hijacking ‘zombie’ fungus appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

However, once you have Alzheimer’s, there’s precious little you can do to stop the damage it does to your brain.

Researchers are working feverishly to change that dynamic…

One such team of California-based researchers has hit upon a natural compound found in two common herbs that could transform the Alzheimer’s treatment field…

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Rosemary, sage and Alzheimer’s relief

Past research has linked rosemary and sage oils with improved memory. In one study, researchers put subjects in a room with an essential oil diffuser containing rosemary oil. These participants were better able to remember events and more likely to remember to complete future tasks.

These herbs both contain antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects, but it hasn’t been clear exactly which properties in the herbs were responsible for impacting memory — until now.

A team from the Scripps Research Institute analyzed rosemary and sage and isolated a compound known as carnosic acid found in both.

Then, they used that compound to create a drug, diAcCA, that they administered to mice bred to develop Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, including memory loss and brain damage, by the time they’re about five months old.

Once the mice reached the five-month-old mark, the researchers gave them either diAcCA or plain olive oil three times a week for three months. They tried 10-, 20- or 50-milligram doses to see which worked best.

After three months, the scientists ran cognitive tests on the mice. One test involved a water maze where the mice swam in a pool to find a hidden platform they could stand on. Healthy mice improved their ability to locate the platform over time, but the Alzheimer’s mice struggled with this task.

Another memory test involved inducing fear so that mice learn to freeze when they hear a sound linked to a mild shock.

To say the results were astounding is putting it mildly…

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In the water maze test, mice given diAcCA, especially at higher doses, swam to the platform faster and spent more time where it used to be, showing they remembered its location better than the untreated Alzheimer’s mice. They also froze more often in the fear test, proving their memory was better.

Their brains looked healthier as well and exhibited more brain connections…

“By combating inflammation and oxidative stress with this diAcCA compound, we actually increased the number of synapses in the brain,” says senior author and professor Stuart Lipton, MD, PhD, the Step Family Foundation Endowed Chair at Scripps Research and a clinical neurologist in La Jolla, California.

“We also took down other misfolded or aggregated proteins such as phosphorylated-tau and amyloid-β [plaques], which are thought to trigger Alzheimer’s disease and serve as biomarkers of the disease process.”

Towards reversing Alzheimer’s

Even better? Lipton said, “…it didn’t just slow down the decline; it improved virtually back to normal.”

Until now, it’s been tough to use carnosic acid as a drug or supplement in its pure form. But the Scripps team’s derivative of carnosic acid proved capable of reaching the gut before breaking down, so it could be absorbed into the bloodstream.

In fact, the mice in the study absorbed 20 percent more carnosic acid through diAcCA than they would have from ingesting pure carnosic acid. This allowed more of the compound to pass through the blood-brain barrier.

Another interesting property of diAcCA is that it’s only activated by the inflammation it’s trying to fight. This means its activity will be limited only to those areas of the brain suffering from inflammation, limiting any possible side effects involving damage to healthy tissue.

The researchers believe not only will diAcCA potentially save lives, it shouldn’t cause any major side effects. Moreover, since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration already considers carnosic acid a “safe” substance, it likely will fast-track any new treatment based on the compound, getting it to Alzheimer’s patients more quickly.

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In addition, diAcCA could help existing Alzheimer’s treatments work better by eliminating the additional brain inflammation that usually blunts their effectiveness.

It could be years before any treatments come out of this research, given that the drug still needs to be tested in humans. In the meantime, adding more rosemary and sage to your cooking certainly couldn’t hurt if you’re looking to slash your Alzheimer’s odds.

You can even get both herbs in the form of tea to increase the amount you ingest. Given how strong the scent of rosemary tends to be, you would think the tea would be just as pungent. But I found it to be quite gentle on both my taste buds and my stomach. Look for it in the tea aisle at your local grocery store or online.

Some people do need to practice caution in regard to increasing consumption of rosemary, according to Web MD, for the following reasons:

Aspirin allergy. Rosemary contains a chemical that is very similar to aspirin, which could cause a reaction in people who are allergic to aspirin.

Bleeding disorders: Rosemary might increase the risk of bleeding and bruising in people with bleeding disorders. Caution is advised.

Seizure disorders: Rosemary might make seizure disorders worse. Don’t use more than amounts found in foods.

Sources:

Compound found in common herbs inspires potential anti-inflammatory drug for Alzheimer’s disease — Scripps Research

Ingredient hidden in your spice rack could reverse Alzheimer’s disease — Daily Mail

diAcCA, a Pro-Drug for Carnosic Acid That Activates the Nrf2 Transcriptional Pathway, Shows Efficacy in the 5xFAD Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease — Antioxidants

Preventing or Slowing Down Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia — HelpGuide.org

What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias? — Alzheimer’s Association

The post The herbal compound that could reverse Alzheimer’s appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

An estimated 2.7 million people in the U.S. are hooked on opioids despite widespread public health warnings and media attention focused on the dangers of opioid addiction. In 2022, roughly 82,000 deaths in the U.S. were linked to opioids.

This epidemic of opioid addiction is a big reason why investigators continue to search for alternative pain relievers. And they may have found one that doesn’t affect the brain —  despite its mind-altering source…

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Cannabis-derived, sobriety ensured

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been used medicinally for thousands of years, including to treat pain. However, its status as an illegal drug and its effects on the mind have kept researchers from fully exploring its potential as a pain reliever.

Natural molecules found in the cannabis plant, referred to as cannabinoid molecules, are the source of the mind-altering properties of marijuana. They bind to the cannabinoid receptor one (CB1) on the surface of brain cells and pain-sensing nerve cells throughout the body.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Stanford University designed a cannabinoid molecule with a positive charge, preventing it from crossing the blood-brain barrier while allowing it to engage CB1 receptors elsewhere in the body. This compound, unlike cannabis, is modified to only bind to pain-sensing nerve cells outside the brain, thereby achieving pain relief without the usual mind-altering effects of cannabis.

The researchers tested the modified synthetic cannabinoid compound in mouse models of nerve-injury pain and migraine headaches, measuring the mice’s hypersensitivity to touch as a proxy for pain. They then applied an ordinarily non-painful stimulus to indirectly assess pain in mice.

The results were impressive — injections of the compound eliminated touch hypersensitivity in both mouse models. And since the compound doesn’t affect the brain, it avoids the mind-altering side effects and abuse potential of opioids.

“The custom-designed compound we created attaches to pain-reducing receptors in the body, but by design, it can’t reach the brain,” says the study’s senior author, Dr. Susruta Majumdar, a professor at WashU Medicine. “This means the compound avoids psychoactive side effects such as mood changes and isn’t addictive because it doesn’t act on the brain’s reward center.”

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Using CBD for pain

Given its long-term effectiveness and its lack of tolerance, this cannabinoid compound holds great promise as a nonaddictive pain reliever. It could potentially provide relief to the estimated 50 million chronic pain sufferers in the U.S. This news may bring a sense of hope and optimism for those struggling with chronic pain. Moving forward, the researchers plan to develop the compound into an oral drug and evaluate it in clinical trials.

Until then, what can chronic pain sufferers do to manage their pain without resorting to dangerous opioids?

Well, there’s always cannabis itself. There’s a lot of evidence that the two primary compounds in cannabis — tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) — provide pain relief. One study even found that cannabis reduced pain in 95.9 percent of cancer sufferers who tried it.

Now that cannabis is legal in many states, it’s easier to acquire and use to treat pain. Just make sure you get Cannabis indica, which is the strain shown to be more effective for pain relief.

If you’re leery of the cannabis “high,” give CBD a try. CBD has many of the same anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties as cannabis, but you don’t get high from using it. Just make sure you get a high-quality CBD supplement that’s guaranteed to contain the amount of CBD it says it does.

Editor’s note: Have you heard of the entourage effect? Dozens of studies show it is now the most effective way to get the most out of a CBD supplement. If full-spectrum, doctor-approved, highly bioavailable CBD oil is for you, click here!

Sources:

Compound harnesses cannabis’ pain-relieving properties without side effects — EurekAlert!

A cryptic pocket in CB1 drives peripheral and functional selectivity — Nature

Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Research Report — National Institute on Drug Abuse

Can cannabis help relieve pain? — Harvard Health Publishing

The post Getting effective pain relief from cannabis appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Those PPIs your doctor prescribed or the ones you can grab off the drugstore shelves can put you in danger of a host of ailments, including stroke, kidney disease, dementia, bone fractures and more.

So what’s an acid reflux sufferer to do? Luckily, researchers have discovered a plant-based remedy that may get to the root of this common problem…

How turmeric affects the stomach

Turmeric, a spice taken from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, contains a naturally active compound called curcumin that’s believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It’s long been used as a remedy for various conditions, including indigestion, in Southeast Asia.

However, there have been no studies pitting turmeric head to head with any drugs to treat indigestion. That’s why a team of researchers in Thailand decided to test turmeric against omeprazole, one of the most commonly used PPIs to treat excess stomach acid.

Their study involved 206 patients ages 18-70 with recurrent upset stomach or functional dyspepsia. Symptoms of functional dyspepsia include feeling excessively full after food, feeling full after only a little food and pain or a burning sensation in the stomach and/or esophagus.

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These patients were assigned to one of three treatment groups for a period of 28 days. One group received two large 250 mg capsules of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, four times a day along with a small dummy capsule. A second group received one small 20 mg capsule of omeprazole and two large dummy capsules four times a day. A third group received the two large curcumin capsules and the small omeprazole capsule four times a day.

At the beginning of the study, all the patients had similar indigestion scores, which were calculated using the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) score. Patients were reassessed after 28 days and again after 56 days.

According to these soda scores, all three groups experienced similar reductions in severity of symptoms by day 28. For pain, the combined group experienced a 4.83 point reduction in their SODA score, while the curcumin group showed a 5.46 point reduction in SODA score and the omeprazole group a 6.22 point reduction. For other symptoms, the combined group showed a 2.22 reduction in SODA score, the curcumin group a 2.32 reduction and the omeprazole group a 2.31 reduction.

The improvements were even stronger after 56 days, with pain scores dropping by 7.19 points for the combined group, 8.07 points for the curcumin group and 8.85 points for the omeprazole group, and other symptoms showing reductions of 4.09, 4.12 and 3.71 points, respectively.

When you compare these improvements, one thing is clear: curcumin proved to be just as effective as omeprazole at relieving the symptoms of indigestion, including acid reflux.

There were no serious side effects reported in the study. However, the researchers note that liver function tests did indicate some level of deterioration among curcumin users carrying excess weight.

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Getting the benefits of turmeric

So next time your acid reflux flares up, you may want to try adding some turmeric to your diet to soothe the burn. But there’s one big caveat: curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, isn’t absorbed easily by your body. In fact, your body metabolizes it quickly and eliminates it so fast it’s like it was never there.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to improve turmeric absorption:

• Heat the turmeric. Since heating turmeric makes the curcumin more available to your body, cooking with turmeric is better than taking a turmeric supplement.
• Combine turmeric with a healthy oil. Turmeric is fat-soluble, meaning it dissolves in fat, allowing your body to absorb it.
• Add black pepper to turmeric. Research has shown the compound piperine found in black pepper can prevent curcumin from being eliminated so quickly from your body.

You can incorporate all three of these steps at once by drinking golden milk. This warm, turmeric-based drink has only a few ingredients and can be whipped up in a flash. Here is a recipe for golden milk that will allow you to take full advantage of turmeric’s benefits.

Sources:

Turmeric may be as good for treating indigestion as drug to curb excess stomach acid — EurekAlert!

Curcumin and proton pump inhibitors for functional dyspepsia: a randomised, double blind controlled trial — BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine

The post The spice that works like medicine for acid reflux appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

So it’s not at all surprising to hear that ginkgo could help people who’ve suffered a stroke recover their cognitive abilities.

In fact, research is stacking up that this ancient herb could be the difference between stroke sufferers keeping their cognitive abilities or losing them permanently…

Ischemic stroke and brain damage

Almost 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year. Most of these are ischemic strokes caused by a blocked artery in the brain.

Preventing brain damage from these strokes has always been a challenge.

Some damage occurs as soon as blood stops reaching brain cells. But even when a clot is cleared and blood supply returns, free radicals can continue to cause brain cell damage.

According to a preliminary study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2024, ginkgo may hold hope for patients recovering from ischemic stroke, particularly when it comes to recovering their cognitive ability.

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Using ginkgo in the hopes of reversing cognitive damage

Researchers assessed the cognitive recovery of 3,163 survivors of mild to moderate ischemic stroke, using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, or MoCA, a screening test of cognitive performance often used with stroke survivors.

Most patients’ cognitive status was moderately impaired — an average score of 17 out of 30 items.

Then, within just 48 hours of their stroke, about half the patients were randomly chosen to receive daily intravenous injections of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM), a combination of the biologically active components of ginkgo biloba. The other half of the group received placebo injections.

The intravenous treatment was repeated at 14 and 90 days post-stroke.

By day 14, patients who had received the ginkgo injections had improved their cognitive scores by an average of 3.93 points. Those who received a placebo improved by only 3.62 points.

And by day 90, the difference was even greater. Those who had received the ginkgo biloba injections showed an average of 5.51 point improvement in cognitive scores, compared with 5.04 points for those on the placebo.

Anxin Wang, Ph.D., an associate professor of clinical epidemiology at the Beijing Tiantan Hospital of the Capital Medical University in Beijing, explained that GDLM’s neuroprotective effects can be attributed to multiple mechanisms, including:

• Expanding brain blood vessels and improving brain cells tolerance to hypoxia (inadequate oxygen);
• Increasing cerebral blood flow;
• Neuroprotective antioxidation;
• Anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis (cell death) properties.

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Ginkgo’s long history and modern use

What makes this research especially exciting is that it is not the first to show ginkgo’s potential for brain recovery after stroke…

Back in 2012, laboratory tests at Johns Hopkins demonstrated that daily doses of a standardized extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can prevent or reduce brain damage after a stroke.

The scientists involved in that study claimed their observations indicated that the antioxidants in ginkgo get the credit for protecting brain cells.

Ginkgo biloba is one of the most commonly used herbal supplements in the world and has been a staple of Traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, used for circulatory problems and senility.

So it’s not at all surprising that IV preparations of ginkgo biloba’s active ingredients are widely used in China as a complementary treatment for ischemic stroke.

However, it may be quite a while before the FDA is ready to greenlight similar treatment options in the U.S.

Ginkgo is thought to be safe in moderate amounts, but side effects can include an upset stomach, headaches, skin reactions, and dizziness.

But blood thinners, NSAIDs (Ibuprofen) and SSRIs (antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac) may interact badly with ginkgo. See your doctor before using ginkgo with any of these medications.

Sources:

Active components of ginkgo biloba may improve early cognitive recovery after stroke  — Eureka Alert

Stroke facts — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Ginkgo biloba may aid in treating type 2 diabetes — Medical Express

The post The ancient herb that could reverse brain stroke damage appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And unfortunately, the problems caused by periodontitis don’t stop in your mouth.

In fact, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, reduced respiratory function, and even lung cancer.

It’s clear oral hygiene is important not only to the health of your mouth but your whole body.

However, experts warn that most over-the-counter oral hygiene products are disinfectants that can be highly irritating to the sensitive tissue of your mouth and gums. They can also kill of bacteria necessary for the production of nitric oxide for healthy arteries.

So how can you care for your mouth and ward off periodontitis, without causing more harm?

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University believe they’ve found the answer hidden in two tasty fruits…

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The flavonoid secret for a healthy mouth

Initially, the team set out to test seven natural flavonoids against a bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Because P. gingivalis is frequently detected in deep periodontal pockets, it is considered to be the most critical bacterium in periodontal disease.

But why flavonoids?

Research has shown they possess various physiological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The seven chosen to tackle P. gingivalis also demonstrated antimicrobial properties, meaning they could reduce or fight infection.

Yet, when it came down to it, a single one stood out.

Known as prunin laurate or Pru-C12, it’s a compound found in grapefruit peel and coconut.

And while previous studies had already shown it to be antimicrobial, no one knew just how effective it could be against P. gingivalis to ward off gum disease.

In in vitro and mouse studies, the Osaka scientists found that Pru-C12:

1. Stopped the growth of P. gingivalis
2. Blocked biofilm formation (bacterial communities that form a sticky network on the surfaces of your teeth and gums)
3. Inhibited alveolar bone resorption (bone destruction that’s a hallmark of periodontitis progression)

And Pru-C12 was non-cytotoxic — meaning it wasn’t irritating.

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A natural way to care for your mouth

So how can you put the results of this research to work to improve your oral health?

While eating more grapefruit and coconut might seem the way to go, I’m doing something a bit different.

Oil pulling is an alternative recommendation by holistic dentists for oral healthcare and is super easy to incorporate into your daily life.

After brushing, simply put one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and gently work it around, swishing or pulling it between your teeth. Do this for at least 10 minutes and up to 20, with practice.

When done, simply spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water containing a little sea salt. You might want to run a little hot water down the sink to keep oil from building up in your plumbing or spit it into a cup to dispose of elsewhere.

You can even buy coconut oil with grapefruit essential oils already added. Some people have to avoid grapefruit due to medications. If that sounds like you, ask your doctor what he thinks about swishing with it. If it’s a no-go, stick to just the coconut oil.

For even more help in the battle against gum disease, consider fish oil supplements. Researchers believe it could be a less invasive periodontal therapy for reversing the damage it does.

Sources:

Protect your teeth with fruit: antimicrobial effects found in biomass compounds — ScienceDaily

Prunin Laurate Derived from Natural Substances Shows Antibacterial Activity against the Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis — MDPI

The strong link between gum disease and heart failure — Easy Health Options

2 more ways gum disease can kill you — Easy Health Options

A fresh mouth can give you high blood pressure — Easy Health Options

The post The antimicrobial fruit combo that fights gum disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

There’s the bone density berry that beats back bone loss…

There’s the one that works for a better brain and blood pressure…

And the berry that improves heart and blood vessel function — in 30 days!

Then there’s the elderberry — best known as a natural flu remedy.

The secret to the elderberry’s anti-viral power lies in its high concentration of anthocyanins, a group of deep red, purple, and blue pigments that give berries their rich colors.

They also contain quite a lot of vitamin C — just one cup accounts for 57% of the recommended daily value.

The anthocyanins in elderberries work to fight free radical damage and boost your immune system in two ways:

• They shield your immune cells so that they can protect you
• They promote white blood cell production to fight off infection

And now a Washington State University-led study says elderberries have powerful benefits for weight management and metabolic health — thanks to those very same anthocyanins…

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Elderberries improve metabolism and burn fat

“Elderberry is an underappreciated berry, commercially and nutritionally,” said corresponding author Patrick Solverson, an assistant professor in the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. “We’re now starting to recognize its value for human health, and the results are very exciting.”

In a clinical trial published in the journal Nutrients, Prof. Solverson and team found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation.

A group of 18 overweight participants consumed either elderberry juice or a placebo with similar coloring and taste, specially designed by North Carolina State University’s Food Innovation Lab, while maintaining a standardized diet.

Those who drank the elderberry juice saw the following health benefits:

• Improved gut microbiome. There was a significant increase in the amounts of beneficial gut bacteria, including firmicutes and actinobacteria, and decreased amounts of harmful bacteria, such as Bacteroidetes.
• Improved metabolism. There was a reduction in blood glucose levels by an average of 24%, indicating a significantly improved ability to process sugars following carbohydrate consumption. Insulin levels also decreased by 9%.
• Enhanced fat burning. There was a significant increase in fat oxidation, or the breakdown of fatty acids, after a high carbohydrate meal and during exercise.

“Food is medicine, and science is catching up to that popular wisdom,” Prof. Solverson says. “This study contributes to a growing body of evidence that elderberry, which has been used as a folk remedy for centuries, has numerous benefits for metabolic as well as prebiotic health.”

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How to get your elderberries

Elderberries are easily found in various forms: juice, powder (which can be added to tea, smoothies, or oatmeal), lozenges and elderberry tea.

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t eat elderberries whole when raw since they contain the toxic compounds, lectin and cyanide (primarily found in the seeds, stems, and leaves), which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

You can cook them or buy products with cooked berries instead, including elderberry juice, tea, lozenges, syrup, or powder that can be added to foods like oatmeal.

Because elderberry may stimulate the immune system, it could interfere with medications taken to suppress the immune system. These medications include corticosteroids (prednisone) and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases. People with organ transplants should also avoid elderberry.

Sources:

Elderberry juice shows benefits for weight management, metabolic health — Eureka Alert

A one-week elderberry juice intervention augments the fecal microbiota and suggests improvement in glucose tolerance and fat oxidation in a randomized controlled trial — Nutrients

Elderberry — mtsinai.org

The post The berry that boosts metabolism, burns fat and fights flu appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But for thousands of years, medicinal mushrooms have been used for tumor therapy in traditional Chinese medicine.

It’s a process that modern science calls fungotherapy.

One of the most important of acinal mushrooms is the Ganoderma lucidum — more commonly known as the reishi mushroom.

Over the years, it’s demonstrated health benefits ranging from fending off fatigue and restoring gut health to guarding against diabetes and improving autoimmune disorders.

Perhaps most importantly, studies have shown that reishi mushrooms can block both cancer spread and invasion of healthy tissues.

But researchers didn’t know exactly what was behind its powerful effect.

That’s all changed thanks to researchers at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, who have found the missing link in how acids in the mushroom alter cancer’s ability to satisfy its sweet tooth…

Cutting off cancer’s fuel halts its growth

The scientists specifically looked at the action of Ganoderic acid A (GAA), a bioactive compound extracted from reishi known for its potential anticancer and antidiabetic effects.

They wanted to see how it might impact two glucose transporters, GLUT1 and GLUT3, which are produced in higher amounts by cancer cells that rely on them to provide the “sugar fuel” fix they need to grow.

They found that GAA binds to the glucose transporters, ultimately blocking the uptake of sugar. In a subsequent experiment, they saw GAA significantly reduced glucose uptake in human lung cancer cells.

That’s not entirely surprising since previous research indicates reishi mushrooms reduce blood sugar by increasing insulin release.

According to the researchers, this discovery suggests that GAA could be used to ‘starve’ cancer cells by cutting off their sugar supply, offering a new way to slow cancer growth without being toxic to healthy cells. It also indicates that GAA could be developed into a novel therapeutic option, particularly for cancers with high GLUT expression.

Medicinal mushrooms in cancer therapy

Mushrooms, and especially mushroom powders, have become very popular. You can even find coffee blends that include mushrooms.

And of course, if you like mushrooms, you’ve probably enjoyed them in a stir fry or cooked up in olive oil or butter. Anyone, even cancer patients, can enjoy eating mushrooms.

But according to the experts at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, if you’re being treated for cancer, there are some things you need to know…

As they point out, medicinal mushrooms are not ordinary mushrooms. They can strengthen the immune system and decrease inflammatory compounds which is very helpful to cancer patients. Some studies have shown that they can help cancer patients live longer.

According to Santhosshi Narayanan, M.D., a physician in MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Center, “One study showed that when people took mushrooms, they were able to tolerate more rounds chemotherapy treatment, probably because they have fewer side effects, and thereby it might have indirectly improved their survival.”

A few other fungi considered to be medicinal mushrooms include:

• Cordyceps mushrooms – These mushrooms demonstrate the power to enhance the activities of macrophages, phagocytes and natural killer cells, acting as anti-tumor agents.
• Lion’s mane – According to the Cleveland Clinic, the unique nutrients in lion’s mane mushrooms “may help fight off cancer cells and slow the spread of certain types of cancer.”
• Chaga mushroom – The results of one study showed that using a chaga supplement reduced tumor size by 60%. Additional research pointed to the mushroom’s ability to help prevent the growth of cancer cells in the liver.

Finally, it’s important to note that using mushrooms in addition to cancer treatment may be advantageous but should be approached with guidance.

“Mushrooms contain potent biological compounds and will behave like drugs, so treat them like a medication,” says Dr. Narayanan. “Have an open conversation with your care team about the pros and cons, as well as the limitations of the research we have.”

Sources:

Starving cancer cells: Researchers unveil new function of ganoderic acid — EurekAlert!

Can mushrooms help during cancer treatment? — MD Anderson Cancer Center

Anti-diabetic effects of Ganoderma lucidum — Phytochemistry

Chaga Mushroom Health Benefits — Cleveland Clinic

Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms — Cleveland Clinic

The post How a mushroom with anti-diabetic properties starves cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But I’ve been hearing a lot recently about black garlic, which has twice the antioxidant level of the better-known white variety.

Black garlic is simply white garlic that’s been subject to a fermentation process that’s been used in Asia for thousands of years.

It involves fermenting white garlic at controlled high temperature and humidity for about three to four weeks. During that time, the garlic produces dark-colored melanoidin in addition to natural sugars and amino acids.

The health benefits of black garlic are similar to those of white garlic. It also contains tons of probiotics, which means it can help stabilize the gut. And it is being investigated for even broader applications — including a disease that will strike one out of every eight men in their lifetime…

Fermented black garlic extract may slow prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in U.S. men, behind skin cancer. And it’s the third leading cause of cancer death in men in Spain, which is why researchers there decided to explore the impact of fermented black garlic extract on prostate cancer cells.

The researchers took into account a previous experiment in mice in which the extract was found to have anti-inflammatory characteristics. Inflammation plays an important role in prostate cancer.

“We tested the extract in different human prostate cancer cell models and found that it was capable of reducing various tumor aggressiveness parameters, including cell proliferation,” says researcher Antonio Montero. Put more simply, the extract appeared to make the prostate cancer cells less aggressive and less likely to spread.

“We also found that it did not affect normal prostate cells,” Montero adds. This means the compound could be administered as a dietary supplement without any potentially negative impact on healthy prostate cells.

Having demonstrated the anticancer effect of fermented black garlic extract, the researchers sought to identify which molecular pathways were affected by the compound. They were able to verify that the compound altered key signaling pathways in the cancer, including those related to inflammation.

“The treatment decreases the inflammatory environment that you can see in this type of cancer,” says principal investigator Raúl Luque. “The extract was more effective and was able to produce more changes when the cells were in a pro-inflammatory environment. The local inflammation could be related to the aggressiveness of the cancer, and the fact that this extract acts on it could be due to its reduced aggressiveness after the extract treatment.”

Luque notes that the results indicate fermented black garlic extract “could be a very good option to avert some of the adverse events that occur in patients who are going to progress to a more complex and aggressive stage of prostate cancer.”

Where to find black garlic

Further study in humans is needed to determine the preventive effect of the compound. This would involve conducting a pilot study in people with a family history of prostate cancer or continuing with a clinical study in patients who already have it, administering the extract to see whether the cancer’s progress can be slowed or stopped.

For now, if you’re a man with a history of prostate cancer in your family, you may want to add black garlic to your diet to help protect your prostate health. You can use black garlic just as you would use regular garlic in recipes, dips and spreads. One advantage black garlic has over white garlic is that it doesn’t have the same pungent odor.

Fortunately, black garlic has become more readily available in grocery stores in recent years. It can be bought whole, in ready-to-use peeled cloves or as a black garlic paste. Make sure you check the expiration date for the latter two forms and use them within three months after opening. If you buy whole black garlic, keep it in the refrigerator and use it within six months.

If you prefer the convenience of a supplement, you can also buy black garlic supplements in powdered or liquid extract form at health food stores or online.

Sources:

The beneficial effects of fermented black garlic extract on prostate cancer are evaluated — EurekAlert!

The Protective Effects of an Aged Black Garlic Water Extract on the Prostate — Nutrients

The Health Benefits of Garlic — Cleveland Clinic

A Cook’s Guide to Black Garlic: What It Is, How It’s Made, Plus 15 Tasty Ways to Use It — Forks Over Knives

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer — American Cancer Society

The post How fermented black garlic slows prostate cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The last thing you want is to be caught empty-handed when your sinuses are blocked, you can’t breathe and the pressure and pain knocks you down for the count.

But before you head to the pharmacy, I’m here to give you some news about recent developments in the world of cold remedies that may blow your mind — then we’ll work on how to blow that congestion right out of your nose…

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Active ingredient in popular decongestants deemed ineffective

In the world of over-the-counter decongestants, many of the products we reach for contain the active ingredient phenylephrine (PE).

Phenylephrine is found in popular products such as Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain, Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant, Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe, and many, many others.

But following an evaluation of clinical trial data in 2023, a panel of expert advisors for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed that oral PE-based drugs are no better at reducing stuffiness than a placebo and recommended that oral PE decongestants be reclassified so that they are not falsely labeled as “effective.”

Now the FDA is taking action: As of November 2024, the FDA has proposed to remove oral phenylephrine, widely used in cold and cough syrups, as an active ingredient in over-the-counter drugs for nasal congestion.

According to Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), “It is the FDA’s role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective. Based on our review of available data, and consistent with the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a nasal decongestant.”

For now, companies may continue to market drug products containing oral phenylephrine as a nasal decongestant. However, the FDA will be providing manufacturers with an appropriate time table to either reformulate their drugs containing oral phenylephrine or remove such drugs from the market.

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Safer choices for fighting congestion

There are some decongestant products containing PE that the FDA will allow to remain on the market, specifically nasal sprays that deliver the active ingredient into the bloodstream via a more direct route.

But when taken orally, too much of the medicine is broken down in the gut before it gets into the bloodstream to have any real effect.

This all leaves you with a couple of choices. You can switch to nasal sprays and see if PE works for you when pushed into your bloodstream, or you can try a natural alternative.

And there’s good reason to give the latter at least a try…

Due to the severity of sinus symptoms, many people suffering from chronic sinusitis have been reported to form addictions to chemical over-the-counter nasal sprays.

Active ingredients, including PE and another decongestant called Oxymetazoline, can not only lead to dependency but can cause damage to nasal passage membranes, leading to chronically inflamed nasal passageways — a condition known as rebound congestion — and cause recurring symptoms to worsen over time.

But when you can’t breathe and sinus pain and pressure make your head feel like it’s about to explode, what else can you do?

Nasal irrigation: A natural and chemical-free method is simply to irrigate the nasal passages with a saline solution. Nasal irrigation improves nasal mucociliary clearance while also removing mucus from the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. Practicing nasal irrigation during the times of the year you’re most affected by sinus trouble can work as a preventative as well.

Nattokinase: Natto is a traditional Japanese superfood that contains a heavily studied enzyme, nattokinase, found to dissolve sinus pain and pressure. The enzyme has been found to shrink nasal polyps which can lock mucus inside sinus cavities, as well as thin mucus allowing better drainage.

Spicy foods: Did you know you can find nasal sprays made with capsaicin? That’s one way to make your nose run. Another is to eat spicy foods that open up your sinuses and let the mucus flow.

Ginger and turmeric: The anti-inflammatory properties of these spices help open up congested nasal passages by relieving the swelling. Try them in a hot tea and breathe in the steam while you allow it to cool down before sipping.

To cut your risk of sinus infections and nasal polyps, be sure to beef up your vitamin D3 and keep zinc on hand.

Sources:

Key Ingredient in Most Decongestants Doesn’t Work, Experts Say — Science Alert

NDAC Briefing Document: Oral Phenylephrine in the CCABA Monograph — FDA

U.S. FDA proposes ending use of popular decongestant present in cold medicines — Reuters

The post The not-so-surprising reason these OTC decongestants will be banned appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It turns your body’s once-balanced immune system into an overactive nightmare that begins attacking your own healthy cells and organs.

It also sets off a cascade of inflammation that can take down joints, wreck your gut or destroy your nervous system.

Sadly, autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are on the rise – especially in those of us over 50.

Even worse, because of the way these diseases leverage the body against itself, they’re hard to treat, often leaving patients with few recommendations from their doctor except to learn to live with the symptoms as best they can.

However, that doesn’t mean that there’s no hope…

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In fact, researchers have delved into the world of autoimmune diseases repeatedly, often finding that the best options for care are natural.

These include things like vitamin D, the keto diet and even baking soda.

And now, there’s an old “new kid on the block” in the battle against autoimmunity and the inflammation it causes – ginger.

Targeting the neutrophils

Ginger has a rich history of healing that goes back more than 3,000 years. And it’s been proven time and again to help the body fight off some of the most common and worst health issues.

So a team of scientists from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus decided to see what the spice could do for autoimmunity.

Specifically, the researchers set out to measure the impact of ginger supplementation on a type of white blood cell called neutrophils. Overactive neutrophils can mean the type of out-of-control inflammation.

And according to senior co-author Kristen Demoruelle, MD, PhD., “There are a lot of diseases where neutrophils are abnormally overactive”

So did ginger live up to its 3,000+ year-old hype?

In the clinical trial, the researchers found that daily intake of a ginger supplement for just seven days (at a dose of 20 mg of gingerols/day) made the neutrophils of healthy individuals more resistant to NETosis. NETs are microscopic spider web-like structures that propel the inflammation and clotting that are a hallmark of numerous autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid and lupus.

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The benefits were so clear that the researchers hope their findings will encourage healthcare providers and patients to discuss whether taking ginger supplements as part of their treatment plan could be beneficial.

“There are not a lot of natural supplements, or prescription medications for that matter, that are known to fight overactive neutrophils. We, therefore, think ginger may have a real ability to complement treatment programs that are already underway. The goal is to be more strategic and personalized in terms of helping to relieve people’s symptoms,” said senior co-author Jason Knight, MD, PhD.

Putting ginger to work

So if you’re ready to battle back autoimmunity with the power of ginger, what should you know?

Well, the first thing is that ginger supplements are easy to find, both in stores and online.

Next, be sure when choosing a supplement to grab one that explains the percentage of gingerols to mg. But always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for serving amount, unless otherwise directed by your physician.

Finally, fresh ginger root is also an option, although it’s harder to know if you’re getting enough gingerols this way.

Sources:

New research adds evidence to the benefits of ginger supplements for treating autoimmune diseases – Science Daily

The post 3,000-year-old spice battles autoimmune disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, in addition to rich levels of compounds like flavonoids, phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and minerals.

That nutritional resume may be why several healing uses are attributed to Manuka honey related to wound healing, strep throat, gingivitis, gut health and even bladder infections.

But most compelling is that some compounds in Manuka honey have demonstrated anticancer potential at a molecular level by inhibiting pathways activated in cancer that induce tumor cell proliferation, growth and metastasis.

Here’s what researchers think future breast cancer treatments with Manuka honey could look like…

Improving breast cancer treatment

Estrogen Receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that has estrogen receptors in the cancer cells. It’s especially challenging and requires specialized treatment, including endocrine therapy, a hormone treatment that prevents hormones like estrogen and progesterone from attaching to receptors on breast cancer cells.

Tamoxifen is a commonly used drug in ER-positive breast cancer therapy but resistance to the drug is significant.

Scientists at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have been interested in one of the mechanisms of action of Manuka honey that could make it an effective adjuvant in the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

And that is its ability to block estrogen receptors.

When the scientists put Manuka up against breast cancer, both alone and in combination with tamoxifen — the results were impressive…

In preclinical experiments in mice and in ER-positive MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, which represent two of the most common types of breast cancer, the researchers found that Manuka honey:

• Significantly reduced tumor growth in ER-positive breast cancer (the most common type of breast cancer) by 84 percent without affecting normal breast cells or causing major side effects.
• Reduced levels of signaling pathways involved in tumor cell growth and survival.
• Lowered the proliferation of cancer cells but did not affect the growth of normal human cells, indicating it might target cancer cells specifically.
• Caused apoptosis (or cell death) of breast cancer cells.
• Enhanced the effectiveness of existing treatments such as tamoxifen, when used in combination.

“The findings provide hope for development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy,” said Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban, associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and the study’s first author.

Using medicinal honey

The findings suggest that Manuka honey could potentially be developed into a natural supplement or even a standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, especially for patients who experience resistance to the commonly used therapies.

“Although more research is necessary to fully understand the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study establishes a strong foundation for further exploration in this area,” added Dr. Marquez-Garbon.

Until then, Manuka honey would make a great addition to any medicine cabinet, especially if bladder infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs) get you down.

Manuka honey has been shown to halt the growth of bacteria that cause chronic UTIs and prevent them from forming biofilms (a thin layer of bacteria that adhere to your bladder and are notoriously antibiotic-resistant.)

So if you live with the pain of chronic bladder infections (or just want to improve your bladder health), try this combination of Manuka honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and hot water.

Sources:

Preliminary study shows potential of Manuka honey as a nutraceutical for breast cancer – EurekAlert!

A ‘sweet’ solution to antibiotic-resistant lung infections – Easy Health Options

The natural ‘antibiotic’ that could fend off strep throat – Easy Health Options

The post Manuka honey strengthens fight against ER+ breast cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was an easy and inexpensive way to head off the “crud” the kids inevitably transport home and to anyone else they come in contact with?

Well, research indicates there just might be a non-drug way to help them get over these infections quickly — and reduce the spread…

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Saline nasal drops could do the trick

A team of researchers enrolled 407 children aged up to six years in the ELVIS-Kids study. When they developed a cold they were either given either their usual care or hypertonic saline ~2.6 percent (saltwater) nasal drops.

Overall, 301 children developed a cold. In the nasal drops group, parents were given sea salt and taught to make and apply the nasal drops to their children’s noses. They administered three drops per nostril at least four times a day until the child was well.

The researchers found children using saltwater nose drops had cold symptoms for an average of six days, compared with the children receiving usual care, who had symptoms for eight days. The children receiving nose drops also needed fewer medicines during their illness.

“Children have up to 10 to 12 upper respiratory tract infections, what we refer to as colds, per year, which have a big impact on them and their families,” says Steve Cunningham, a professor at the University of Edinburgh. “There are medicines to improve symptoms, such as paracetamol [acetaminophen] and ibuprofen, but no treatments that can make a cold get better quicker.”

When children received saltwater nose drops, 46 percent of their households reported family members catching a cold, compared with 61 percent of households for children receiving usual cold care.

Also, 82 percent of parents reported that nose drops helped the child recover quickly, and 81 percent said they would use nose drops in the future.

“Reducing the duration of colds in children means that fewer people in their house also get a cold, with clear implications for how quickly a household feels better and can return to their usual activities like school and work, etc.,” Cunningham says. “Our study also showed that parents can safely make and administer nose drops to their children and therefore have some control over the common cold affecting their children.”

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Why it works

ELVIS-Kids chief investigator Dr. Sandeep Ramalingam, a consultant virologist for NHS Lothian in Edinburgh, U.K., notes that saltwater solutions are often used by people in South Asia as nasal irrigation and gargling to treat a cold.

The way the drops work hinges on the salt, or sodium chloride, in the water. “Chloride is used by the cells lining the nose and windpipes to produce hypochlorous acid within cells, which they use to defend against virus infection,” Cunningham says. “By giving extra chloride to the lining cells, this helps the cells produce more hypochlorous acid, which helps suppress viral replication, reducing the length of the virus infection, and therefore the duration of symptoms.”

Ultimately, saltwater nasal drops represent a safe, simple and inexpensive solution for reducing the duration of colds by two days, thus slashing the health and economic burden of colds on families.

The researchers hope to further study the effect of saltwater nose drops on wheeze-related colds. Initial results from this study showed children who received the drops had significantly fewer episodes of wheezing (5 percent versus 19 percent in children receiving the usual treatment).

To make your own saline nasal drops at home, add 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 cups distilled or boiled water that must cooled to room temperature before use. You can then use a sterile squeeze bottle to apply them.

If making your saline solution seems like too much of a hassle, saline nasal drops and sprays are inexpensive and readily available in drugstores. There are brands made specifically for use in children and for adults.

And even though saline solution drops were only tested in children, it probably would make sense for adults to try them as well to reduce cold duration — given how easy they are to use and what we’ve learned about how chloride from salt is instrumental in immune defense, why not?

Sources:

Saline nasal drops reduce the duration of the common cold in young children by two days — EurekAlert!

Saline Nasal Washes for Children: Care Instructions — MyHealthAlberta.ca

The post Using saltwater to shorten colds and stop the spread appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Nearly 95 percent of Florida oranges are used for juice, and about half the peels from those oranges go to waste.

Imagine if instead they could be used to save lives.

As we speak, scientists are looking at how this wasted resource could help save people from the #1 killer in the United States.

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Can orange peel extract prevent heart disease?

Recent research has shown that our digestive process may be putting us at greater risk for heart disease.

You see, there’s a small group of gut bacteria that produce the chemical trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) when they feed on certain nutrients during digestion.

And it’s been found that people with higher levels of TMAO in their blood may have more than twice the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems.

But the answer to reducing that risk may lie in all that wasted orange peel…

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic investigated the impact of orange peel extract, which is rich in phytochemical antioxidants, on TMAO production.

To do this, scientists tested two types of extracts: a polar fraction and a non-polar fraction.

“If you imagine your salad dressing, anything in the water or vinegar part are the polar fraction; anything in the oil away from water is the non-polar fraction,” explains Yu Wang, associate professor of food science at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“The solvents we used were not exactly like water and oil, but they possess similar polarity,” Wang says.

Researchers identified a compound called feruloyl putrescine in the orange peel polar fraction extract that significantly inhibits the enzyme responsible for TMAO production.

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Heart disease prevention is key

I’m not suggesting you should go out there and start eating orange peels. But the research team is hopeful that it may soon be used to fight heart disease. Adding a little orange zest to your favorite recipes isn’t such a bad idea though.

“These findings suggest that orange peels, often discarded as waste in the citrus industry, can be repurposed into valuable health-promoting ingredients, such as diet supplements or food ingredients,” says Professor Wang.

 “Our research paves the way for developing functional foods enriched with these bioactive compounds, providing new therapeutic strategies for heart health.”

In the meantime, take advantage of tips we already know that can reduce your risk of heart disease, including what cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Klodas recommends for lowering TMAO levels:

1. Eat fish twice a week. Regularly eating fatty fish can help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) even in individuals who are at higher risk due to heart disease or stroke.
2. Exercise. Regular exercise lowers the risk of developing heart problems over about six years, even with the presence of a family history.
3. Chelation therapy. Toxic metals, including heavy metals, negatively impact human health. And lead is among the most notorious affecting heart health. EDTA chelation is a safe option.
4. Eat beets. After menopause, women no longer produce estrogen, which helps maintain nitric oxide (NO) in the body. This loss of NO contributes to the substantial increase in heart disease risk for postmenopausal women. Men can also benefit from NO, as it is a natural vasodilator produced in the body with the help of dietary nitrates, like those found in beets.
5. Support healthy blood pressure. Pterostilbene, an antioxidant found in berries, grapes and nuts, along with grape seed extract, supports naturally healthy blood pressure.
6. Beat back metabolic syndrome. Waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar — make up the cluster of conditions that define metabolic syndrome, a surefire precursor to heart attack or stroke.

Sources:

Study shows orange peel extract may improve heart health — Eureka Alert

Discovery of a Novel Bioactive Compound in Orange Peel Polar Fraction on the Inhibition of Trimethylamine and Trimethylamine N-Oxide through Metabolomics Approaches and In Vitro and In Vivo Assays: Feruloylputrescine Inhibits Trimethylamine via Suppressing cntA/B Enzyme — Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

The post Orange peel extract: Natural heart disease prevention appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Jamu is an herbal tincture that originated in Java’s royal courts more than 1,300 years ago. It is known throughout Indonesia for its positive effects on digestion, as an anti-inflammatory, and as an immune system booster.

Later, I’ll share the easy home recipe for this drink made of simple ingredients, rich both in history and health benefits.

But first, I want to tell you about research into one of the ingredients of jamu that has the potential to be a cancer-killing bullet…

Kencur ginger may keep cancer cells from spreading

Previous research had already discovered Kencur ginger’s ability to fragment the nuclei of cancer cells, reducing their survival rate. But the mechanism was not known until now…

Prof. Akiko Kojima of Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan and her colleagues demonstrated that it was Kencur ginger’s main active component, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EMC), that significantly suppressed cancer cell growth at the cellular and animal levels. 

“EMC also decreases the expression of TFAM, a regulator of mitochondrial function that is closely associated with cancer cell proliferation,” she says.

The reduced expression of TFAM, induced by EMC, might inhibit cancer cell proliferation by regulating the expression of the nuclear genes cyclin D1 and p21, which cause cancer.

“Our results indicated that low-dose EMC (100 μM) suppressed cell proliferation without inducing apoptosis [cell death] and could safely provide anti-cancer effects,” the researchers add.

Prof. Kojima and her colleagues are proud to emphasize the breakthrough nature of their research.

“To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report that the natural compound-induced decrease in TFAM expression correlates with the expression levels of cyclin D1 and p21.”

How to make jamu at home

Here is a short video where Prof. Kojima and graduate student Yutaro Sasaki, the study’s lead author, talk about the health benefits and ingredients of jamu.

If you click on “transcript,” you can read that the drink is made with orange juice, but first, kencur ginger and turmeric are cut into small pieces and boiled in water to which a little sugar is added. After cooling, the mixture is added to orange juice.

The researchers caution that further studies — including clinical trials —  are required to confirm that Kencur’s bioactive compounds have the same anti-cancer effects in human patients.

Kencur is a special type of ginger that may not be readily available in the U.S. But ginger root in general is both delicious and beneficial. In fact, ginger and its active components, including 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, are believed to exert anticancer activities against several gastrointestinal cancers.

Ginger tea or ginger chews are considered soothing treats for stomach upset as well.

A traditional ginger drink that was popular among American colonists in the 17^th and 18^th centuries is called switchel. It was considered a great refresher while working the fields. In addition to helping to hydrate, switchel is believed to provide an energy boost and kick-start your immune system.

Apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and fresh ginger are the three ingredients.

Here, my colleague Jenny Smiechowski tells you exactly how to make switchel at home for pennies.

Sources:

Kencur Ginger’s Anti-Cancer Effects Revealed — Technology Networks Biopharma

New study reveals anti-cancer properties in Kencur ginger — Medical Express

Kaempferia galanga L. extract and its main component, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, inhibit the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by suppressing TFAM expression — Heliyon

The post Centuries-old ginger extract suppressed cancer cell growth appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The use of ACV as a home remedy goes back thousands of years. In 400 BC, Hippocrates prescribed it mixed with honey to treat coughs and colds, among other illnesses. It’s also been used in African and Chinese traditional medicine to stimulate circulation, aid in liver detoxification, purify blood, cleanse lymph nodes and improve immune system responses.

There are even a couple of newer uses for ACV that dovetail with some health ailments that have been on the rise in recent years…

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Ways in which ACV benefits health

Like all vinegar, ACV is made through fermentation. Manufacturers first add yeast to apple juice to break down the natural sugars, resulting in alcohol. Then, they add specific bacteria to convert the alcohol into acetic acid, which gives vinegar its pungent odor and taste and some of its health benefits.

Fruit vinegars like ACV also contain polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The bacteria used in making ACV appears as a cloudy, spongy or stringy mass known as the “mother.” Some manufacturers filter ACV to remove the mother, while others bottle the ACV with the mother and label the product accordingly. ACV with the mother is believed to have more health benefits than filtered ACV due to the probiotics, enzymes and nutrients the mother contains.

Here are some ailments that ACV is being used for nowadays….

Blood sugar

One of the most interesting hypotheses surrounding ACV is that it helps manage blood sugar levels. And this has proven true in studies in rats and limited studies in humans.

One study had people with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance drink one to two tablespoons of ACV or other types of vinegar mixed with water just before eating meals high in carbohydrates. Results showed these patients experienced less dramatic blood sugar spikes than those who did not consume vinegar before their meals.

Some research suggests that ACV may lower blood sugar spikes by slowing the movement of food through the digestive tract and interfering with certain enzymes that convert carbohydrates into simple sugars.

Weight loss

ACV’s ability to slow the digestive process is similar to the mechanism of action of the popular GLP-1 agonists now widely used for weight loss. But ACV is far cheaper and has fewer side effects than these drugs.

So, is there proof that ACV is effective at supporting weight loss?

One study of 155 adults in Japan found those who consumed two tablespoons of ACV in water every day for three months lost about four pounds. And a trial of 120 people ages 12 to 25 in Lebanon showed those who drank one tablespoon of ACV in water every morning for three months lost an impressive average of 15 pounds.

However, a study that monitored participants after they stopped taking ACV found that, on average, they regained most of the weight they lost within four weeks. Therefore, if you’re going to use ACV as a weight loss aid, you’ll likely need to continue taking it to keep the weight off.

Animal research has demonstrated the ability of acetic acid to reduce fat accumulation in certain tissues and to help increase the release of hormones that signal fullness. This further indicates ACV’s potential usefulness in weight management.

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Gut and digestive health

ACV with the mother has potential probiotic benefits for the gut microbiome and can help prevent unhealthy overgrowth of yeasts like Candida that can destroy the microbiome’s delicate balance.

Also, ACV is a great acid reflux preventative because the acetic acid it contains turns alkaline during digestion and reduces acid. The advice is to take two tablespoons of ACV in a glass of water 30 minutes before eating to normalize the stomach acid and prevent indigestion.

However, it doesn’t work on everyone and in some reports has worsened the condition.

Acne

ACV may also benefit acne-prone skin by balancing skin pH, exfoliation, reducing hyperpigmentation and stimulating circulation. But never use ACV straight. According to University of Nebraska Health, always dilute it and do a skin patch test before applying it to larger areas. It can make skin more sensitive to the sun, just like vitamin C extracts, so be sure to apply sunscreen.

Safe consumption of ACV

ACV can interact with certain medications, including some diuretics and drugs for diabetes and heart conditions. If you take any of these drugs, check with your doctor before adding ACV to your daily regimen. Also talk to your doctor if you have low potassium levels, since ACV can further reduce blood potassium.

One thing to always remember is to dilute ACV with water. Mix a tablespoon or two of ACV in a glass of water, and don’t ingest more than two to four tablespoons a day to protect the lining of your esophagus. Also, it’s probably a good idea to drink it with a straw, since even diluted, ACV could erode tooth enamel.

Sources:

1. Is Apple Cider Vinegar Really a Cure-All? — The New York Times

2. What Is the Mother in Apple Cider Vinegar? ACV Explained — MasterClass

3. Apple Cider Vinegar Myths & Facts — WVU Extension

The post ACV: From ancient remedy to social media sensation appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

My family had to make a similar decision about a great-aunt several years back. 

While situations like these are sad, they’re also troubling — especially when you consider that most of us know at least one person who suffers from cognitive decline, dementia or Alzheimer’s.

But was it always like this?

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Did the ancients see our modern-day plague coming?

Thanks to an analysis of ancient texts, we know what Hippocrates, the Greek physician considered “the Father of Medicine,” was observing in his patients — and it wasn’t cognitive problems…

When researchers combed through his writings, there were no mentions of people of that time suffering from memory loss.

Ancient Greeks also apparently didn’t suffer from issues with speech and reasoning which now go hand in hand with symptoms of cognitive decline.

But when researchers searched ancient Roman texts, examples began to crop up. One notable mention by Pliny the Elder was that the senator and famous orator Valerius Messalla Corvinus forgot his own name.

What might have been different for the Romans?

As Roman cities became more populated, pollution increased — and cognitive decline began to creep up. But that’s not the only reason…

It’s well-known that the Romans used lead cooking vessels and lead water pipes. They even added lead acetate to their wine to sweeten the taste.

All the while they were poisoning themselves with what we now know is a powerful neurotoxin.

Lead — again!

The researchers who took a step back in time point out that Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are diseases of modern environments and sedentary lifestyles.

I hate to say I’m not surprised. I’m sure you remember reading how lead is worse on the heart than smoking or cholesterol. It’s one reason air pollution has been tied to heart disease and dementia.

And while lead-laden wine cups got left behind in ancient Rome, some decorative plates and glassware (like the ones used during the holidays) are sources of potential lead exposure today — but that’s just the tip of the iceberg…

In the U.S., experts have shown, we’re at risk of heightened lead exposure from:

• Common spices like cumin and coriander
• Dark chocolate
• Drinking water (due to a combination of lead in pipes plus a compound in a chemical used for water treatment)
• Juices and some plant-based milks have been found to contain both lead and arsenic
• Rice grown in the U.S. has been found to contain toxic metals, including lead.

There is a solution to the lead threat. EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid), a lead chelating agent, was introduced decades ago to treat lead poisoning in employees in battery factories and WWII sailors who painted ships with lead-based paint.

Chelation is simply the process of chemically binding heavy metals so they can be pulled from the bloodstream and excreted through the urine. 

But unfortunately, most doctors don’t know enough about chelation therapy to talk about it, unless they are affiliated with the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM).

In cases of acute lead poisoning, EDTA chelation can be administered through IV. But since it’s a simple amino acid, it’s popularly taken in supplement form and supported by detox enthusiasts and integrative healthcare.

If you’re interested in learning more, we’re providing a link below to an e-book considered the quintessential guide to chelation.

In the meantime, do what you can to cut down on sources of lead exposure in your daily life.

Sources:

Did dementia exist in ancient Greek and Rome? – ScienceDaily

The post Why the ancient Greeks didn’t get dementia, but Romans did appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I had to read that statistic twice before it sank in.

Surely if a safe and highly effective smoking cessation remedy were available, pharmaceutical companies would jump at the chance to produce it and get it into people’s hands.

It’s been a while since I had to report to you on Big Pharma’s greed machine and how it makes us sicker.

But now I’ve got a doozy for you.

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The natural substance that could double your chances of quitting

Cytisine is a plant-based compound that eases smoking withdrawal symptoms. It’s been used in Eastern Europe as a low-cost stop-smoking aid since the 1960s.

There is a great deal of solid research demonstrating that cytisine is a more efficient smoking cessation aid than nicotine — and that it is safe. (The obvious advantage, of course, is that it doesn’t put the same addictive substance back into the body).

For example, a study published just last year pooled the results of eight randomized control trials comparing cytisine with a placebo.

Among the 6000 patients involved, the results showed that cytisine more than doubles the chance that a person will successfully stop smoking.

And in an earlier study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, cytisine was compared with a nicotine-replacement aid such as the patch.

At the one-month point, 40% of the 1310 subjects had continuously refrained from smoking, as opposed to only 31% of those on nicotine-replacement therapy.

Why you can’t get cytisine in the U.S.

With these kinds of results, why can’t smokers in the United States get their hands on cytisine?

“It should be available to patients in the U.S.,” says Dr. Maher Karam Hage, professor of behavioral science at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Lisa Fucito agrees.

Dr. Fucito is a professor at Yale School of Medicine. She is also the director of the Tobacco Treatment Service at nearby Smilow Cancer Hospital.

“The challenge in the U.S.,” Dr. Fucito says, “is that you need a pharma company behind a med.”

And therein lies the rub.

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You see, since cytisine is a naturally occurring compound, it can’t be patented, any more than, say, oregano can be patented.

So there’s really very little incentive (read monetary gain) for a big drug manufacturer to try and push it through the very complex — and costly — FDA approval process.

In other words, there’s no money to be made by producing cytisine and making it available to those who need it, so Big Pharma simply won’t do it.

In 2017, Canada’s version of the FDA approved cytisine as a natural health product, meaning it’s available over the counter.

Why hasn’t that happened in the U.S.? If the pharmaceuticals can’t make money from cytisine, why not release it to the natural health market so millions of people can use it?

I don’t have an answer for that.

Limited safe options currently available

So what should you do if you’re trying to kick the habit?

I’ll tell you one thing you shouldn’t do.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine took a look at the effects of e-cigarettes on your health.

What they found is that it’s not worth it.

On the other hand, one study found that placing a drop of black pepper and angelica essential oils on a tissue and inhaling it whenever you have the urge to smoke can significantly reduce the strength and frequency of your cravings.

Partnering up with someone can make you almost six times more successful — and that’s backed by research!

So however you do it, don’t go it alone. If you don’t have a friend who’s able to commit their support, check out the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program.

Sources:

Want to quit smoking in 2024? Cytisine can help … if you live in the right country —Eureka Alert

There’s a Pill That Helps People Quit Smoking. Why Isn’t It Sold in the U.S.? — Slate

Evaluation of the effectiveness of cystine for the treatment of smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis — Addiction

The post The safe, effective quit-smoking pill Americans can’t get appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s what Dr. Gabrielle Williams had to say about recent findings regarding the effectiveness of cranberry juice to avoid urinary tract infections (UTIs) in people who are susceptible to them, and who suffer from repeated episodes of these painful infections.

Centuries ago, Native Americans valued cranberries for bladder problems. And like me, you probably grew up with a mom who suggested drinking cranberry juice to avoid this painful condition.

But science has often scoffed at this anecdotal evidence, chalking it up to an old wives’ tale. That is, until now…

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Proof cranberry products prevent UTIs

Dr. Gabrielle Williams, a clinical researcher and epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, led a research review that looked for evidence to back up the apparent effectiveness of cranberry juice in preventing UTIs.

Even though cranberry juice and supplements with cranberry have long been promoted as good prevention against UTIs — and even though lots of women swear by that — the most recent review of 24 clinical trials in 2012 said otherwise.

Thankfully, scientists from Flinders University and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead sought to update these findings…

After adding 26 new studies to the 2012 review, bringing the total number of studies to 50 with 8,857 participants — they analyzed results from trials of cranberry products compared with placebos, with antibiotics or probiotics and with no treatment at all.

Results showed that consuming cranberry products (in juice, tablet, or capsule form) was strongly associated with reduced risk of UTIs in women with recurrent infections.

There was a significant protective benefit noted among children, and among people at risk of UTIs due to interventions such as bladder radiotherapy. No significant benefit was noted for elderly subjects in particular.

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Why does it work?

It’s estimated that about 90 percent of UTIs are caused by the bacterium E. coli.

Earlier research has shown that it could be the proanthocyanidins (a type of polyphenol) in cranberries that do the job, by keeping E. coli bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract lining. Cranberries, along with blueberries and chokeberries (Aronia berries) are among the few sources of this powerful polyphenol compound.

Preventing UTIs means less reliance on antibiotics

Antibiotics have their place. If a UTI goes untreated it can move to the kidneys and cause complications, including sepsis in very severe cases. But for women with recurrent infections, antibiotics can pose other problems…

E. coli is becoming resistant to our best antibiotic treatments. That’s one very important reason why prevention is so important.

There are a few other tips to help cut down on UTI risk…

First, get in the habit of urinating when you have the urge, rather than holding it in (yes, even at night). Studies have found that holding your urine in for a long time allows bacteria to multiply in your urinary tract, resulting in a urinary tract infection.

Next, wear loose-fitting, dry clothing. Loose-fitting clothes and underwear allow airflow that can help keep unnecessary moisture away to keep the urethra dry.

Sources:

A myth no more: Cranberry products can prevent urinary tract infections for women — Eureka Alert

It’s Official: Cranberries Can Reduce Risk of UTI by 50% in Certain People — Science Alert

Is cranberry juice really effective against urinary tract infections? — Medical News Today

Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Cranberry products can prevent urinary tract infections — Flinders University

Cranberry Products Inhibit Adherence of P-Fimbriated Escherichia Coli to Primary Cultured Bladder and Vaginal Epithelial Cells — The Journal of Urology

The post It’s official: Cranberries keep urinary tract infections away appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Growing up Jewish, this comes as no surprise to me. Chicken soup was the standard remedy for colds and flu, before medicine, before a visit to the doctor.

Well, I’ve found out a few things since then.

First, Jewish mothers aren’t the only ones pushing chicken soup. It’s used as a remedy in many cultures around the world, each with its own variation.

And second, there are real, medicinal qualities that make chicken soup more than just, well, chicken soup.

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Sweet, sour, bitter, salty and…

There’s a fifth category of taste called umami, often described as a “meaty” taste.

But not all umami foods are meat or poultry. Cheese, mushrooms, miso and soy sauce have it, too.

And it’s the umami taste in chicken soup that starts the healing process.

When you have a cold, your appetite often decreases, and you don’t get enough nutrition to help your body heal.

Studies show that the umami taste in chicken soup may help to spur a better appetite—and you know what they say about feeding a cold.

Chicken soup promotes nutrient absorption

Umami also seems to prepare our bodies to receive nutrients that are especially important when our bodies are healing.

Once the brain senses umami through our taste buds, our digestive tract becomes primed to absorb proteins more easily.

Not only does this help with healing, but it may also relieve gastrointestinal symptoms that can go with the flu, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

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Chicken soup reduces inflammation and congestion

Inflammation is part of our body’s natural response to injury or illness. Inflammation occurs when white blood cells migrate to inflamed tissue to help with healing.

In the case of upper respiratory illnesses, it’s our nose, throat and upper airway that need healing, and so white blood cells migrate there, causing the dreaded stuffy nose, thickened mucus and coughing.

If you can reduce white blood cell count in the nasal passages, you reduce inflammation.

And guess what does that?

Research shows that chicken soup can inhibit the ability of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, to travel to the inflamed tissues, thus reducing the white blood cell count and reducing inflammation. This can help relieve a stuffy nose — and that’s a big deal, now that we know some of the popular OTC decongestants just don’t work.

Also, the steam from hot chicken soup can increase blood flow to the nasal passages, which also helps with inflammation. One study showed that chicken soup does this more effectively than the steam from a hot bath or shower.

And soup also prevents dehydration, which could cause mucus to harden, making it difficult to expel.

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A recipe for recovery

It is important to clarify that we’re talking about homemade soup here, not the ultra-processed chicken soup that you get from a can.

Not only do the canned versions contain few hearty vegetables, but they’re also devoid of the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals you’ll get plenty of when you make homemade chicken broth/soup including:

• Essential fatty acids – help with rebuilding membranes like those in the nose and throat.
• Protein – repair tissue and fight infection.
• Iron – your body uses it to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body.
• Selenium – an essential component of proteins that protect against cell damage and infection.

Be sure your soup is chock-full of vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. They all have vitamin C, which we know helps to cure colds by acting as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals.

Be generous with the chicken. It’s a great source of vitamins B3 and B6 and tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps the body produce its “feel good hormone,” serotonin.

And for the extra energy your body needs during recovery from illness, add noodles — an easily digestible carbohydrate.

Lastly, maximize the healing potential of chicken soup by inhaling the vapors as they rise from your steamy bowl or mug. This increases the temperature of nasal and respiratory passages, which loosens mucus and helps you breathe easier quickly. Add a little spice and garlic and this will work even better!

To get you started, here are two easy and wholesome recipes that contain a lot of the ingredients we’ve talked about here:

Slow cooker chicken soup with white beans and spinach

Roast chicken soup

Sources:

Chicken Soup Has Been a Remedy For Thousands of Years… But Why? — Science Alert

The Nutrients Behind Chicken Soup — Mom’s Meals

Sharing umami with the world — Umami Information Center

Umami flavor enhances appetite but also increases satiety — The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro — CHEST Journal

The post Recipe for recovery: The science in chicken soup appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

With no definitive causes or gold-standard treatments, people living with Parkinson’s are left only with medications that may help manage their symptoms but hold little hope for disease progression.

And, as far as disease prevention for Parkinson’s, we’ve been left out in the cold. Until now:..

Surprising news in the world of Parkinson’s research from Osaka, Japan, holds promise that a natural source may lead to treatment that could guard the nerve cells in the brain against the disease. And it could be sitting on top of your hamburger bun right now…

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Prevention plus improved motor function in a tiny seed

So what is the possible new Parkinson’s treatment the researchers discovered?

Sesame seeds!

Those crunchy, toasty little nuggets of goodness that add dimension to your burger could also hold the key to Parkinson’s prevention and possibly even improve motor function for those already living with the debilitating disease.

You see, while sesame oil is used across the world thanks to its high burn point and wonderful nutty flavor, when making the oil, manufacturers throw out the shells of the seeds. Yet this is where the researchers say the true magic of the sesame seed lies.

You see, two concurrent issues happen in people that lead to the damage Parkinson’s causes to nerve cells and motor function.

The first is that oxidative stress results in extreme pressure on nerve cells in the brain that control movement, which then break down and die. This is what kicks off the disease.

The second is the fact that once you have Parkinson’s, your dopamine levels plummet. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (also called the “feel good” chemical), which helps to regulate everything from pleasure and mood to decision-making and motor function.

And the good news is that the researchers found that sesame seeds can help both.

The power of sesaminol

In fact, they discovered that sesaminol, a naturally occurring chemical in the shells of sesame seeds, has the power to not only guard the body’s motor neurons but also help maintain elevated dopamine levels.

Through research on mice with Parkinson’s, the team found that:

#1 – Sesaminol handles the oxidative stress that leads to cell damage

The researchers say that the sesaminol found in sesame seeds is a powerful antioxidant capable of regulating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants to stop neuronal damage. According to the team, it works by promoting the movement of Nrf2 (a protein that triggers in response to oxidation).

Additionally, they found that sesaminol also diminished the production of intracellular ROS, blocking the oxidation that damages motor neurons in two ways.

#2 – Sesaminol boosts dopamine

Finally, the researchers also say that after feeding mice a diet containing sesaminol for 36 days, the results show a significant increase in their dopamine levels. Not surprisingly considering the role dopamine plays in motor function, the mice also showed better motor performance and intestinal motor function in lab tests.

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Grab Parkinson’s-protecting sesame seeds now

The results were so impressive that the researchers plan to move into clinical trials fast in order to develop the first Parkinson’s medication from a sustainable food source.

But in the meantime, if you want to add some sesaminol to your life, you don’t have to wait…

Sesame supplements that include sesaminol are easy to find at your natural health store and online. Or try toasting sesame seeds at home and sprinkling them on salads, adding them to yogurt or slipping them into smoothies.

For information on the early signs of Parkinson’s disease, click here.

Sources:

Parkinson’s surprise: Scientists discover sesame seed chemical can protect against disease — StudyFinds

Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factors and Causes — Johns Hopkins Medicine

The post The seed that offers protection against Parkinson’s disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Sometimes those pills are necessary. Lives are saved thanks to modern medicine.

But somewhere along the way taking pills became a large part of the problem.

One area of health where this really stands out is the relationship between constipation and high blood pressure…

The serious side of constipation

I was a kid when Elvis passed away. But as an adult when I began researching health issues, I became very familiar with how he died.

It’s no secret that toward the end of his life, Elvis was a user of opiates — drugs that not only kill pain but also cause terrible constipation by slowing down the movement of stool through the gut.

Elvis wasn’t in the best of shape, and it’s believed that while straining to have a bowel movement he had a fatal heart attack.

It’s mind-boggling to think constipation could instigate an early death — unless you understand how a pill that may be the answer for one problem can cause many more…

Right now about 4 million Americans have a problem with constipation. You might be one of them. And even though you’re likely not taking opiates, you may be taking another constipating medication that one in four of us do…

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Compounding problems

Calcium channel blockers are used to manage blood pressure problems. They’re designed to relax the smooth muscles in blood vessels to lower blood pressure — but that same mechanism relaxes the muscles in the intestines.

That causes waste to move very slowly through the bowels. As it does, it dries out because the intestinal lining soaks up the moisture content it holds. I’m sure that’s a gross detail you’d rather not read, but here’s why it matters…

It’s one of the mechanisms research has found links constipation and hypertension. The increase in water absorption from the intestines during constipation raises blood pressure due to the increase in blood volume.

Another is the condition of a constipated gut…

Having an imbalance of unhealthy bacteria, or dysbiosis, can cause inflammation and changes in the production of short-chain fatty acids — which are metabolites normally produced in the gut that regulate renin, an enzyme that helps regulate blood pressure and maintain healthy levels of sodium and potassium in your body.

Of course, having high blood pressure increases anyone’s risk for heart problems. However, studies have shown the combination of constipation and high blood pressure takes those risks to a higher level.

Get to the root of the problem

Of course, there are lots of little pills to help you have regular bowel movements — just like there are lots of pills doctors will stack trying to lower blood pressure, especially resistant high blood pressure.

But relying on laxatives to help you poop can make chronic constipation worse. In fact, among the medications that Elvis abused, laxatives were listed.

The muscles in your colon become weak and your body becomes dependent on them. Then your body can no longer poop without that assistance, including straining hard.

The best way to overcome constipation is to provide safe, natural colon support with ingredients that work with the body’s natural processes so dependency does not become a concern, starting with…

1. Ancient aloe – This cactus-like plant helps to naturally stimulate the bowel and soften stool for easier elimination.
2. Inulin – This natural prebiotic found in chicory root helps support the natural production of beneficial bacteria in the colon by providing the intestinal fertilizer needed for healthy gut flora. Those bacteria generate the short-chain fatty acids I mentioned earlier.
3. Potassium – This critical mineral helps keep stool hydrated and moist promoting a healthy transit time from digestive tract to toilet.
4. Cascara sagrada – Used by Native Americans for centuries to help promote bowel contractions and the urge to “go” for normal healthy bowel movements.
5. Senna leaf – This natural colon-balancing herb helps promote normal bowel health and healthy stool consistency for regular, gentle bowel movements.
6. Slippery Elm – This herb is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps regulate anal tissue swelling.
7. Black Walnut hulls – This ancient remedy contains juglone, tannins and natural iodine which work together to help eliminate harmful organisms from the digestive tract helping to support healthy digestion and regularity.

A well-functioning gut can do wonders for improving your health — and for just making you feel better. If yours isn’t working right, don’t ignore it, especially if you have a metabolic disorder.

Source:

Association of constipation with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular events in elderly Australian patients — Journal Nature

The post The weird connection between constipation and blood pressure appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If you’re an older man, this scenario may be all too familiar. You’re experiencing what’s known as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as weak stream and frequent nighttime urination, or nocturia.

LUTS is usually associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged and makes it difficult to urinate or completely empty the bladder. However, age-related bladder changes, metabolic syndrome and vascular disease also can contribute to LUTS.

Moderate to severe LUTS has been linked to an increased risk of death in previous studies. But it was unclear whether improving these symptoms had any impact on that higher death risk — until now….

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The danger of lower urinary tract symptoms

Researchers analyzed data on 3,046 men aged 50 or older with moderate to severe LUTS from the Medical Treatment of Prostate Symptoms trial. The participants were randomly assigned to receive active treatment with LUTS medications or an inactive placebo. Medications used in the study were the alpha-1 blocker doxazosin, the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride or a combination of the two.

During the two-year follow-up period, the researchers used the AUA Symptom Score to rate the impact of LUTS symptoms on a scale of 0 to 35. Follow-up data were used to determine the connection between reduction in urinary symptoms and death risk after an average of six years.

Results showed that for each one-point reduction in symptom score, the risk for death decreased by 4 percent. The more symptoms were reduced, the greater the reduction in death risk, with a 10-point reduction in LUTS symptoms correlating with a 35 percent decrease in death risk.

While the men assigned to all three active treatment groups showed significant reductions in mortality risk, the placebo group did not.

The researchers note that urinary symptoms are typically regarded as a “benign condition” that’s only treated when it becomes a problem for the patient.

“The findings suggest that we may need to view urinary symptoms differently, possibly with an emphasis on earlier treatment,” says lead author Dr. Blayne Welk of Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute in Canada.

The researchers stress that the study cannot determine a causal relationship between improved LUTS symptoms and subsequent death risk and that further study is needed. They also observe that the study did not evaluate the impact of other treatment options, including newer types of selective alpha blockers.

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Natural ways to keep your prostate healthy

If you decide to ask your doctor about medication for LUTS or BPH, you should know that studies have linked 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride with an elevated risk of diabetes. Your doctor will want to consider your health history before choosing that path.

There are other medications but they too have side effects to be weighed. For those reasons, some men choose a natural approach.

For instance, diet can influence prostate health. Some foods should be avoided, while other foods may help shrink the prostate.  Research shows that a diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables and healthy fats (sounds like the Mediterranean diet!) can improve prostate health and BPH.

Several supplements have a reputation for relieving LUTS as well, most notably saw palmetto. Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of saw palmetto in promoting prostate health, relieving the excessive need to urinate (especially at night) and enhancing urinary flow. Others include pygeum, stinging nettle and beta-sitosterol.

Consider drinking green and black tea regularly (but avoid drinking anything close to bedtime). A study conducted by researchers at Winthrop University Hospital in Garden City, New York, evaluated the impact of green and black tea on a small group of men (46) with LUTS. The men who had taken the tea mixture showed an improvement in LUTS (including improved urinary flow and reduced inflammation) and quality of life in as little as six weeks when compared with placebo.

And last but not least, regular exercise is also important for keeping your prostate healthy. The more active you are, the lower your risk of BPH or prostate problems.

Sources:                                                                                                        For older men, treating urinary symptoms may lead to lower mortality risk — EurekAlert!

The Reduction of Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Death — The Journal of Urology

The post Ignoring these bathroom symptoms can cut your life short appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But European mistletoe extract has been getting the attention of the medical community as an anticancer agent.

That’s right — the “kissing plant” could become an antidote to cancer.

Small studies have shown improved survival rates in people with pancreatic and breast cancer. It’s also been shown to reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Of course, more rigorous research is needed. And that’s just what researchers at Johns Hopkins University have been working on.

What is a Phase I trial?

Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins have completed what is believed to be the first Phase I trial of intravenous mistletoe extract in the United States.

As its name implies, a Phase I trial is the very first step in bringing a potentially curative substance to market as a drug.

The purpose of a Phase I clinical trial is to test the safety, side effects, best dose, and timing of a new treatment. It may also test the best way to give a treatment (orally, by injection, etc.) and how the treatment affects the human body.

In the Johns Hopkins trial, 21 patients with advanced and treatment-resistant cancers received mistletoe extract (ME) intravenously three times per week. Their dose was gradually increased until either it stopped working, or it became toxic.

Patients were followed for an average of 15.3 weeks. The ideal dose was found to be 600mg.

The most common side effects reported were fatigue, nausea and chills — but patients reported that these were manageable.

What’s next for mistletoe extract?

Now that a Phase I trial has found European mistletoe extract to be safe and the side effects manageable, Phase II trials can be planned.

In Phase II, researchers look mainly at the efficacy of a substance. Does it work against the condition it’s being given for?

The good news is that, although Phase I was simply meant to test mistletoe extract’s safety, it’s already clear that it’s effective for some cancer patients. Tumors in three participants decreased in size and remained stable for two to five months.

Dr. Channing Paller, lead researcher, says that more research is also needed to help decipher exactly how mistletoe extract works to slow cancer growth, particularly in regard to cytokines that help kill off abnormal cells and encourage the growth of healthy cells.

Plant-based remedies abound

Like many other homeopathic remedies, mistletoe extract is not an FDA-approved remedy.

However, it is listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS). If you’re interested in the details, here are the criteria that must be met before a homeopathic preparation is designated an “official homeopathic drug” and included in the HPUS.

Plant-based homeopathic remedies have been used with success in countries outside the United States.

Always feel free to talk with your doctor if you’re considering use of an alternative treatment, or if you have questions.

Not all medical doctors are equally open or knowledgeable about homeopathic remedies, but if you have a doctor you trust, it’s always a good place to start. Integrative physicians may be more knowledgeable about complementary treatment therapies.

Remember, don’t eat any part of the mistle plant, and also keep it away from your pets, too. According to lovegarden.com, “Mistletoe is poisonous, although it is doubtful as to whether it will actually cause death. All parts of the plant are toxic (that’s berries, stem and leaves). The Mistletoe plant contains Phoratoxin and Viscotoxin, which are both poisonous proteins when ingested. With over 1500 varieties of Mistletoe in the world, some are more toxic than others.”

Source:

U.S. study of intravenous mistletoe extract to treat advanced cancer — Eureka Alert

Phase I Trial of Intravenous Mistletoe Extract in Advanced Cancer — Cancer Research Communications

Mistletoe Extracts (PDQ®)–Patient Version — National Cancer Institute

Cytokines and Their Side Effects — American Cancer Society

The post Mistletoe: From Christmas tradition to cancer treatment appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And it seems like doctors are looking for any excuse to put everyone on them when the only people who may benefit are those with known heart or vascular disease, people with diabetes, and most people with genetically driven very high cholesterol levels (familial hypercholesterolemia).

So, if you’re in general good health, why run the risk of developing diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, breast cancer, dementia, gout or gallstones when you can take control of your health naturally?

If you want to manage your cholesterol, lower your stroke risk and keep your heart healthy, take a stroll down the produce aisle…

That’s because a growing number of health researchers have been examining the connection between citrus fruit and cholesterol levels.

And the evidence is mounting: these juicy treats have cholesterol-lowering benefits and are a safe, sweet option…

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Bergamot: an exotic, natural statin

You may not be familiar with the bergamot orange, but you’ve probably enjoyed its tangy citrus aroma in Earl Grey tea.

A cross between a Seville orange and lumia (or pear lemon), it looks more like a large lemon than an orange.

The sour bergamot isn’t a good snacking fruit because it tends to be acidic and tart, but it can be used in light salad dressings, or to flavor seafood dishes, baked goods, even yogurt.

Two compounds in bergamot, brutieridin and meltidin, have been studied. Both are natural antioxidants that demonstrate statin-like effects…

In a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Cardiology, researchers saw a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol when subjects took 1000 mg. of bergamot extract daily for a month.

When these patients had their statins cut in half, their cholesterol levels did not increase.

If you don’t care for the bergamot’s strong citrus flavor, you can purchase bergamot extract in capsule form.

You may also want to read about bergamot’s effect on blood pressure when used as an essential oil.

If you’re not taking statins, try red grapefruit

In 2006, Israeli researchers looked at a group of 57 patients with high blood cholesterol, all of whom had recently undergone coronary bypass surgery, and whose lipid levels were not responding to statin drugs.

Patients who added either red or white grapefruit to their diets for a month showed a significant drop in blood lipid levels. Red grapefruit produced more dramatic results.

Those who didn’t eat grapefruit at all showed no change.

It’s easy to add some grapefruit to your diet. It’s a great way to wake up your senses in the morning. Add a bit of sugar if you need to.

One precaution: If you are already taking statins, it is not advisable to eat grapefruit. Doing so may increase the harmful side effects of statins.

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An orange a day …

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a daily orange may keep strokes at bay.

An analysis of 14 years of data from 70,000 women in the Nurse’s Health Study shows that eating more citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and lemons) can reduce your chances of a stroke.

“Studies have shown higher fruit, vegetable and specifically vitamin C intake is associated with reduced stroke risk,” says Aedín Cassidy, Ph.D., the study’s lead author and professor of nutrition at Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom. “Flavonoids (compounds in fruits and vegetables) are thought to provide some of that protection through several mechanisms, including improved blood vessel function and an anti-inflammatory effect.”

In this analysis, the flavonoids came primarily from oranges and orange juice (82 percent) and grapefruit and grapefruit juice (14 percent). However, researchers recommended that consumers increase their citrus fruit intake, rather than juice, due to the high sugar content of commercial fruit juices.

The research was reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

All citrus fruits contain a nutrient called d-limonene. It’s what gives them their pleasant aroma.

The peels of lemons and oranges are especially high in d-limonene. This little-known nutrient can dissolve lipid-containing gallstones, and to lower cholesterol naturally.

Eating oranges, or drinking lemonade with pulp, are good ways to get some of this compound. It can also be taken in supplement form.

Other ways to enjoy citrus fruits

The possibilities here are almost endless.

• Include them in a fruit or green salad
• Make some guacamole, and squeeze in the fresh lime juice
• Make candied citrus peel: Cut the peel into long strips, and simmer in sugar and water until they’re tender. Chop them and use them in baked goods, or dip the strips in melted dark chocolate.

And, while you’re at it, don’t forget these other members of the citrus family:

• Tangerine
• Pomelo
• Clementine
• Kumquat
• Ugli fruit

If you’re not sure if you should be taking statins or not, see what cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Klodas has to say about the subject, here.

The post Citrus for lower cholesterol and stroke risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The Ayurveda tradition, which began in India, from 3,000 to 5,000 years ago, may be the most familiar to most of us.

You may not know a lot of specifics about it, but chances are you’ve heard of it, especially if you’re of the mindset that you’d rather avoid getting sick in the first place than have to work harder at treating or reversing a condition… a difficult thing to do (though, not impossible) once disease has a hold on the body.

That last part is something our modern health system has never quite embraced. We go to the doctor when we’re sick — not when we’re well, except for maybe that yearly checkup which provides the perfect opportunity for your doctor to increase whatever current medicines you may take.

But Ayurvedic practices advocated the maintenance of good health through oral traditions which included a vast knowledge of healing plants. Finally, doubters can put their money where their mouth on at least one of those ancient remedies..

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The history of Nigella sativa

The Nigella sativa plant — also called black cumin, black sesame and black caraway — is native to Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean. And much of the earliest information we have about it was written by “the most influential philosopher of the pre-modern era.” His name was Avicenna and he put those oral traditions down in writing in two books: The Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine. These books were created around the years 1020 and 1025 and remained the standard of medicine through the mid-17^th century.

Though Avicenna may have provided the most thorough ancient information on Nigella sativa, Hippocrates and Dioscorides also mentioned it in their texts. And the Bible describes it as the “curative black cumin” (Isaiah 28:25, 27 NKJV).

The seeds were used in foods and poultices. They were also ground to powder. But the golden oil of the black seeds was also extracted and consumed.

Apparently, it was so widely used for a vast array of conditions that it was referred to as “the remedy for all disease.” But modern research has been focusing on one area where its scientific credibility is stacking up…

The mounting research on Nigella sativa and blood sugar

Type 2 diabetes is considered preventable. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to do so. Many conditions can contribute to it and make it harder to reverse, including obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

But there is quite a bit of published research that indicates Nigella sativa could help. Here are few with impressive findings:

• The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that, in mice, black seed oil, “causes gradual partial regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells (the ones in your body that make insulin), increases the lowered serum insulin concentrations, and decreases the elevated serum glucose.”
• A study in human participants found that at a dose of 2 grams per day, black seed oil was able to lower fasting blood sugar, decrease insulin resistance, improve pancreatic beta-cell function and lower HBA1c (average blood sugar level over a two to three-month timeframe).
• A published review in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders from 2013 found black seed oil could be effective against obesity.

Some of these studies were small, some on animals, but also some on humans. But before I get behind something, there’s one scientific method I prefer to see… a systematic review of the evidence.

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The evidence stacks up

Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials provide the clearest evidence for the benefits of a healthcare intervention. Recently, a (published in May 2020) comprehensive systematic review was performed that looked at the published results about Nigella sativa.

And here is what the researchers determined:

• Nigella sativa has a key role in herbal medicine as an adjuvant remedy for the treatment and management of patients with Diabetes Mellitus and its complications.
• The beneficial effects of Nigella sativa preparations depend on dosage forms, prescribed active ingredients and duration of the intervention.
• The best dosage to improve glycemic indices and lipid and lipoprotein profiles is 2 g daily powdered Nigella sativa for at least 12 weeks.

According to the review, dietary supplementation with Nigella sativa preparations can improve various secondary complications of diabetic patients because it possesses anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and anti-obesity effects. Additionally, it was shown to help:

• Restore the antioxidant defense systems
• Decrease inflammatory biomarkers
• Improve endothelial dysfunction, and hepatic, kidney, heart and immune system functions

Before type 2 diabetes digs its claws in, blood sugar spikes slowly decrease insulin sensitivity and lead to pre-diabetes. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, it appears this simple seed’s golden oil could be the prevention, not prescription, we should reach for.

If you suspect you could have pre-diabetes, watch out for these 12 signs.

Sources:

1. Avicenna — Wikipedia

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In the U.S. depression affects one in 10 of us, and it often goes untreated.

One study found among those newly diagnosed with depression, only about a third get treatment. That number dips further among older people. In fact, patients over the age of 60 were half as likely to seek treatment for depression as those under age 44.

But, even with treatment, depression can be a tough nut to crack. Roughly 31 percent of people with depression have either no response or a poor response to medication.

With those odds, it’s helpful to know of complementary or alternative therapies that may help manage depression.

Take green tea, for instance.

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Previous research has found that people who drink four or more cups of green tea daily are 44 percent less likely to have symptoms of depression than those who drink only one cup per day or less.

Another study showed an association between frequent consumption of green tea and a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in the community-dwelling elderly population.

But to understand how tea could truly affect the brain’s mood center, scientists turned to mice — and what they found is extremely encouraging…

The impact of matcha

Matcha is a powdered form of green tea that has over a thousand more antioxidant levels than its whole-leaf green tea counterparts. When you boil regular green tea, you throw away the leaves, which contain most of the antioxidants. Because matcha uses the entire leaf pulverized into a powder, it contains all of green tea’s antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

How could matcha possibly affect depression? It may come down to matcha’s effect on the brain’s happy chemicals: serotonin and dopamine. Both carry messages between nerve cells in the brain.

Serotonin influences learning, memory, and happiness and regulates body temperature, sleep, sexual behavior and hunger. Dopamine impacts mood and motivation, as well as learning, heart rate, sleep, attention, and pain processing, among other functions.

Experts believe a lack of one or both of these chemical messengers may contribute to depression. For instance, inadequate levels of dopamine can make a person feel less motivated and less interested in life.

In an animal study involving mice, when the researchers examined the mice’s brains, they found that matcha appeared to affect systems of dopamine in stress-sensitive mice. These results suggest that matcha causes an antidepressant-like effect by activating the dopaminergic system in the brain.

The study results also indicate that mental state is an important factor that affects the physiological benefits of matcha since only the mice under high mental stress were impacted, compared to another group of mice.

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Making matcha at home

Other studies on green tea and depression have identified two ingredients potentially responsible for its feel-good effects. One is L-theanine, a calming amino acid known to reduce mental and physical stress and enhance crucial neurotransmitter activity.

The other is a potent antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which contributes to an increase in brain alpha wave activity. When you’re in an alpha wave state, you’re awake and alert but relaxed.

You can now buy the tea at many grocery stores or online. Just make sure you get the actual powdered matcha, and that it’s 100 percent matcha with no fillers or sweeteners.

To make matcha, take roughly a quarter teaspoon and put it through a small sifter into your cup. Matcha clumps very easily, so you want to make sure your drink isn’t lumpy.

Next, pour in two ounces of hot (not boiling) water. You want the water to be just below the boiling point. Then you need a whisk to stir it — a fork or spoon won’t mix it enough.

Whisk the matcha vigorously in a zig-zag motion. Don’t do it in a circular motion or you won’t get that foamy top that’s characteristic of good matcha. A bamboo whisk known as a chasen, can make the whisking process easier and more complete.

After the tea has dissolved and a foamy top has appeared, pour in another six ounces of hot water, whisk again until foamy, and serve. Or, if you want to make your own matcha latte, add six ounces of heated milk instead of water.

Sources:

Could matcha tea have anti-depressant properties? — Medical News Today

Matcha Tea Powder’s Antidepressant-like Effect through the Activation of the Dopaminergic System in Mice Is Dependent on Social Isolation Stress — Nutrients

Vast Majority of People With Depression Aren’t Getting Treatment, Global Review Finds — Science Alert

Why Are So Many People With Depression Not Getting Treatment? — Forbes

Green tea and coffee consumption is inversely associated with depressive symptoms in a Japanese working population — Public Health Nutrition

Green tea consumption is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly — The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Matcha 101 – What It Is and How to Use It — Love & Lemons

The post Matcha tea: Nature’s antidepressant in a cup appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

So for these reasons, it’s easy to understand the hype that came about when the diabetes drug Ozempic and its off-label version geared toward weight loss, Wegovy, proved successful for many people.

It seemed that the “magic pill” of our wildest dreams, that could make managing diabetes and weight loss effortless, was finally here.

But, as with most things that sound too good to be true, we learned about alarming side effects and insane medication costs that were not always covered by insurance.

Over the past dozen years or so, research has been ongoing into a natural, plant-based compound that appears to have the ability to support blood sugar metabolism and other health benefits as well — including promising studies on weight loss — all without the side effects of medication.

Most recently, it’s been referred to as “nature’s Ozempic.” Here’s what we know about berberine…

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Is this Traditional Chinese Medicine Nature’s Ozempic?

For more than 10 years now, science has been investigating how natural chemicals from the barberry plant can help control type 2 diabetes.

Specifically, a phytochemical (natural plant compound) called berberine seems to be doing the trick.

Berberine is also found in the perennial flower known as goldenseal, and other plants including Oregon grape and tree turmeric. In most of these plants, the compound is concentrated in the root or stem.

It’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time as an anti-inflammatory agent. It may also help prevent fatty liver disease, bacterial infections and lower your risk of heart disease.

An examination of data from a number of independent studies (known as a meta-analysis) was conducted by researchers at Iranian and British universities and found that supplementing with barberry can indeed decrease insulin levels.

Seven studies that included 452 subjects were included in the review. The analysis showed that barberry significantly reduces insulin levels. And lowering insulin is the first important step to preventing type 2 diabetes.

Hyperinsulinemia (higher-than-normal insulin levels) is a sign of insulin resistance, where your pancreas is working overtime to secrete insulin because your body is not responding to it. Left untreated, this will lead to type 2 diabetes.

Glucose and cholesterol improve with berberine

Two earlier studies had already shown the effectiveness of berberine supplements in preventing diabetes.

In 2008, a Chinese study examined a group of subjects with diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Many people who are diabetic or prediabetic also have the triple whammy of dyslipidemia: good cholesterol (HDL) is low, bad cholesterol (LDL) is high, and triglycerides are high.

In the Chinese study, 116 patients were given either 1g of berberine daily or a placebo for a period of three months.

In the berberine group, fasting glucose levels decreased from 7mm/liter to 5.6mm/liter, and triglycerides dropped from 2.51mm/liter to 1.10mm/liter. The placebo group showed significantly poorer results.

Together with lifestyle changes, berberine proved effective in controlling blood sugar

In a 2012 meta-analysis, four researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China reviewed data from 14 randomized trials that included 1068 subjects.

While berberine did not control blood sugar any better than oral diabetes medications like metformin, it did have some effectiveness against dyslipidemia.

However, when combined with lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes, berberine proved more effective in controlling blood sugar than metformin or similar drugs when combined with the same lifestyle changes.

You may be surprised to learn though that berberine isn’t the only plant substance that gives metformin some competition. Be sure to check out what my colleague wrote about the diabetes spice that improved glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin while showing no significant adverse effects.

Berberine and weight management

Some research in animals and humans indicates berberine may be helpful for weight loss.

Berberine reduced weight gain and food intake in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity while having no effects on mice on a normal diet.

In a 12-week study involving people with obesity, taking 500 mg of berberine three times a day resulted in an average 5-pound weight loss.

A study has also shown that berberine may help activate metabolism and increase brown fat in the body. Brown fat cranks up your energy burn, which has the potential to crank up your fat burn with it.

According to Medical News Today, Berberine appears to activate AMP-activated protein kinase, which can help regulate how the body uses blood sugar. Researchers believe this activation can help treat diabetes and related health issues, such as obesity and high cholesterol.

Berberine isn’t the only plant compound we’ve written about that appears to enhance the activation of energy regulator AMPK to boost metabolism.

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Supplementing berberine

Berberine supplements are available online or through your health food store. It’s always wise to choose supplements from a trusted brand and follow their guidelines on serving amount. Also check the product label for third-party certification, for example, from the National Science Foundation (NSF)

Although berberine is not known for troublesome side effects (other than digestive issues for some people) you should talk with your doctor if you’re taking any medications, especially those that already lower your blood sugar.

Berberine can interact with metformin and affect blood sugar levels, making them harder to manage. 

Whether it could be called nature’s Ozempic may be debated. It works differently because it is obviously not a drug.

Sources:

1. Berberine in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis — National Center for Biotechnology Information (ncbi)
2. The effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Science Direct
3. Berberine – A Powerful Supplement With Many Benefits — Healthline
4. Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Dyslipidemia with the Natural Plant Alkaloid Berberine — The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
5. Berberine — Medical News Today
6. Berberine is a potential therapeutic agent for metabolic syndrome via brown adipose tissue activation and metabolism regulation — National Library of Medicine
7. National Diabetes Statistics Report — CDC

The post Nature’s Ozempic? Berberine’s impact on blood sugar and weight loss appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

When the pain rears its ugly head, I go to my local marijuana dispensary and purchase some CBD oil. A few drops under the tongue, along with my regular medication, really takes the edge off.

Even after all this time, this licensed dispensary does not have an account that would let them accept my debit card. It’s cash only.

Why?

Because even though medical marijuana is legal in my state, the federal government still considers it a dangerous Schedule 1 drug, right along with heroin and LSD.

For this same reason, any research into the benefits of CBD for illnesses like cancer has been limited to government-supplied cannabis.

No one’s been able to assess the benefits of “over-the-counter” cannabis products like the one I use for pain or sleep.

But now, for pretty much the first time, someone has found a way around that – and has proven the benefits of cannabis products for people with cancer.

Cannabis, chemo brain, pain and more

Federal law prohibits university researchers from possessing or distributing cannabis for research unless it’s government-issued or of pharmaceutical grade.

So Dr. Angela Bryan, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at CU Boulder and a cancer survivor, took a different approach.

Dr. Bryan collaborated with oncologists at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus to observe 25 cancer patients for two weeks. All of them were users of cannabis products.

She and her research team assessed patients’ baseline pain levels, sleep patterns, and cognition. Then, the 25 patients were asked to purchase an edible product of their choice from a dispensary.

They were offered many choices, including chocolates, gummies, pills, and baked goods that had various ratios of THC (the hallucinatory part of marijuana) and CBD (the non-hallucinatory part). A wide range of potencies was also offered.

After two weeks of use, a follow-up exam assessed their levels of pain and cognition.

Patients reported that within an hour, cannabis eased their pain significantly, but made them feel “high,” which impaired their cognition.

But after two weeks of use, all of them reported improvements in pain, sleep and cognitive function. Objective measures of cognitive function, such as reaction time, also improved.

A doctor who was also a cancer patient

In 2017, Dr. Bryan’s work life and her personal health collided when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Suddenly, she could find out first-hand what medical cannabis products could do. After surgery and chemotherapy, she turned to cannabis to help ease her pain.

But she discovered one big stumbling block.

“The doctors were so supportive of what I wanted to do, but they had no idea what to tell me,” she says. “There was just no data.”

On her own, she created a custom regimen of cannabis products: more THC-heavy when her pain was intense and she didn’t have to be mentally sharp, and milder, CBD-heavy products during the day to keep her pain manageable.

Because she had the knowledge needed to do this, Dr. Bryan was able to avoid using opioids for her pain.

“I was extremely lucky because I had some knowledge about this. Most patients don’t,” she said. 

She hopes her research, and more to come will help cancer patients (and other people) make better decisions in the future about how to use cannabis to manage pain and improve sleep.

Cannabinoids in surprising places

If you live in a state where you have legal access to marijuana, trying it once or twice to see if it helps is pretty risk-free.

When you go to the marijuana dispensary, you’ll see that marijuana comes in many forms and varieties. Don’t worry. There are experts there to help you. Just tell them what issue you’re trying to resolve (insomnia, pain, etc.) and they’ll show you what type will help you most.

If marijuana is still illegal in your state, you might want to try eating more foods with omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, eggs, flax seeds and walnuts.

Omega-3’s contain endocannabinoids, compounds that in studies have been shown to play a useful role in cancer prevention… and maybe even treatment.

Editor’s note: Why full-spectrum CBD? It’s called the ‘entourage effect’ and dozens of studies show it is now the most effective way to get the most out of a CBD supplement. To see what CBD can do for you and has already done for others, Click Here!

Sources:

Cannabis knocks down pain, improves sleep and lifts brain fog in cancer patients Eureka Alert

Cannabis use in cancer patients: acute and sustained associations with pain, cognition, and quality of life

The post What a doctor with cancer discovered about cannabis appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

For good reason. The bite of some species of ticks carries the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for what might be considered a silent plague…

Based on data from 2010 and 2018, the CDC estimates more than 475,000 new cases of Lyme disease are reported each year in the U.S. And other than long-term antibiotic therapy — which the medical community admits is not always effective — there isn’t much else available that your doctor can offer.

That leaves a lot of Lyme disease victims suffering from debilitating fatigue, joint pains, memory problems, facial paralysis, aches, stiffness in the neck, heart palpitations, and severe headaches — for life.

But there may be light at the end of the tunnel…

That’s because the treatment of Lyme disease is at least one area where the medical community may be forced to realize the benefit of alternative treatments.

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Natural extracts that fight Lyme disease

The antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime are currently the go-to antibiotics used against the bacterial species behind Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi)

However, antibiotics are not effective in eradicating all traces of B. burgdorferi from the system, which means that the disease can persist.

The impressive likes of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with colleagues at the California Center for Functional Medicine and Focus Health, surveyed the power of 14 plant-based extracts to kill the bacteria, compared to antibiotic treatment.

What they found was downright impressive…

The researchers show that plant extracts from black walnut, cat’s claw, sweet wormwood, Mediterranean rockrose and Chinese skullcap had strong activity against B. burgdorferi, outperforming both tested antibiotics.

But by far the strongest performers were Ghanaian quinine (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta; also known as yellow-dye root, nibima, or kadze) and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum).

Ghanaian quinine is a shrub from West Africa containing the antimicrobial alkaloid cryptolepine and is used in ethnomedicine to treat malaria, hepatitis, septicemia and tuberculosis.

Japanese knotweed is a traditional medicine in India and China that contains the polyphenol antioxidant resveratrol. In other preclinical studies, it has been found to have anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects and protect the nervous system and heart.

Extracts from both plants were found to kill microcolonies of Borrelia burgdorferi and inhibit the division of the planktonic form, even at low concentrations (0.03-0.5 percent). In fact, just a single 7-day treatment with 1 percent Ghanaian quinine could completely eradicate the bacterium. Amazingly, it did not regrow, even under optimal conditions.

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Resveratrol: The power behind Japanese knotweed.

So if someone like me wants to feel like I’m doing something “extra” that could lessen my risk of contracting Lyme (in addition to wearing lightweight clothing to my ankles and wrists), would choosing a resveratrol supplement make sense?

I’m going to take resveratrol anyway, so why the heck not?

Most supplements containing resveratrol source this powerful antioxidant from the Japanese knotweed. You would see it listed as Polygonum cuspitadum.

According to the information I read at examine.com — an independent educational organization that analyzes nutrition and supplement research — most of the benefits attributed to Japanese knotweed are likely because of its resveratrol content.

More good news is that a forgotten antibiotic, hygromycin A, first discovered in the 1950s is also proving helpful against Lyme disease in mice studies. It was also less disruptive to the mice’s gut microbiomes than conventional broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Above all this summer, be cautious in wooded areas or even in your yard, especially if you let the grass get a little high. Do self-checks to make sure if a tick did hitch a ride, or worse, bite you, you make the discovery as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is imperative when it comes to antibiotic therapy and Lyme disease.

To safely remove a tick, follow these instructions from the CDC.

Stay safe this summer!

Source:

1. Ethnobotanical medicine is effective against the bacterium causing Lyme disease — EurekAlert

The post Could a resveratrol supplement fight Lyme disease? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Common causes include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease; treatment typically involves pain management through modern medicines, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Despite the increasing dominance of modern medicine, the effectiveness of natural remedies should not be disregarded. Although conventional medications have advantages, they are not always the ideal solution for everyone, particularly when treating and relieving pain such as sciatica.

Thankfully, numerous natural remedies can effectively overcome this incapacitating condition. These remedies range from gentle exercises and stretch to herbal supplements and essential oils. Numerous methods are available for managing sciatica pain without harsh chemicals or invasive procedures.

Therefore, if you are looking for a holistic and natural approach to managing your sciatica symptoms, do not hesitate to explore available options.

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Importance of Natural Remedies

Natural remedies can play an important role in maintaining overall health and wellness. They can prevent illness, manage symptoms, and complement conventional medical treatments.  Some key benefits of natural remedies include:

Reduced side effects

Unlike prescription medications, natural remedies are often associated with fewer side effects, making them a safer and more tolerable option for some individuals.

Cost Effective

Natural remedies are often less expensive and can be an affordable option for individuals not covered by health insurance or who cannot afford expensive medical treatments.

Improved Overall Health

Natural remedies can help support overall health and wellness by promoting a healthy immune system, reducing inflammation, and improving digestive health.

Availability

Many natural remedies can be found in local health food stores, online retailers, or even in the kitchen pantry, making them accessible to a wide range of individuals.

Sustainability

Natural remedies are often derived from natural sources, such as plants, and can be a sustainable and eco-friendly option for individuals concerned about the environmental impact of conventional medications.

It is important to note that while natural remedies can be effective for relieving sciatic pain, they may not be suitable for everyone. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before trying new treatments, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking medication.

7 Natural Remedies to Ease Sciatic Pain

While medical treatment may be necessary for severe cases, natural remedies can help alleviate sciatic pain. Here are some natural remedies for sciatica.

1. Stretching Exercises

Gentle stretching exercises can help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. Some recommended stretches include the following below:

a. Hamstring Stretches

Stretching the hamstrings can alleviate sciatica discomfort as the sciatic nerve passes through these muscles at the back of the thigh. If hamstrings are tight or shortened, they can pressure the sciatic nerve, worsening sciatica symptoms.

By stretching these muscles, any tension built up in them is released, reducing the pressure on the sciatic nerve and relieving sciatica pain. Consistently performing hamstring stretches can also enhance flexibility and blood circulation in the affected region, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.

b. Piriformis Stretches

Stretching the piriformis muscle can be beneficial in reducing pain as this muscle is situated close to the sciatic nerve and can potentially press or inflame the nerve, resulting in sciatica symptoms. Stretching this muscle helps relax and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, thereby relieving sciatica pain. However, it is crucial to ensure that the stretch is done gently and carefully, as excessive stretching or overexertion can lead to further injury or worsen the symptoms.

c. Lower Back Stretches

Sciatica pain can be relieved by performing lower back stretches as the sciatic nerve starts from the lower back and passes through the buttocks and legs. Tightness in the lower back muscles can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve, worsening sciatica symptoms. By stretching these muscles, tension is relieved, and pressure on the sciatic nerve is reduced, reducing sciatica pain.

2. Hot and cold Compress

Applying a hot or cold compress to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.  When experiencing sciatic nerve pain, using a hot compress can be beneficial in promoting muscle relaxation and increasing blood flow to the affected area. In addition to reducing inflammation and stiffness, this can alleviate nerve pressure, resulting in decreased discomfort.

Alternatively, a cold compress can numb the area and reduce inflammation, helping to alleviate pain and discomfort. Additionally, the cold can help reduce swelling and muscle spasms, which can contribute to sciatica pain.

Application Techniques:

Hot Compress

Fill a hot water bottle or heating pad with warm water and adjust the temperature comfortably. Apply a hot compress to the affected area for 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to place the hot compress directly on the skin, which can cause burns. Instead, wrap it in a towel or use a cover designated for use with a hot compress.

Cold Compress

Apply the cold compress to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time. Be careful not to place the cold compress directly on the skin, which can cause frostbite. Instead, wrap it in a towel or use a cover designed for use with a cold compress.

3. Massage Therapy

When alleviating sciatica pain, massage therapy can be beneficial as it targets the root cause of the discomfort, muscle tension and pressure on the sciatic nerve. Massage therapy can diminish inflammation and encourage recovery in the affected region by enhancing blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

Moreover, it triggers the release of endorphins, the natural pain-relieving chemicals produced by the body, thereby lessening pain and inducing relaxation.

4. Essential Oils

Some essential oils, such as peppermint and lavender. Have anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate sciatic pain. Mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and apply it to the affected area.

5. Herbal remedies

Turmeric, ginger, and devil’s claw are herbal remedies that have been used for centuries to alleviate various types of pain, including sciatica pain. Here’s how each of them works:

a. Turmeric

It contains a compound called curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric helps to reduce inflammation which can turn, help reduce sciatica pain.

Here are some ways to use turmeric for sciatica relief:

• Turmeric Tea: Boil a cup of water and add 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes, and strain the tea. You can add honey or lemon to taste.
• Turmeric Milk: Add 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric to a cup of warm milk. You can add honey to taste. Drink this milk once a day before bedtime.
• Turmeric Paste: Mix 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric with ½ teaspoon of water to make a paste. Apply this paste to the affected area and leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it with warm water. Do this once a day.
• Turmeric Supplements: You can take turmeric supplements in capsules, tablets, or powder. The recommended dosage of turmeric supplements is usually 500-2,000 mg daily.

b. Ginger

It is another natural anti-inflammatory agent that can help reduce sciatica pain. It contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. Ginger also helps to improve circulation, which can reduce pain and inflammation.

Here are some ways to use ginger for sciatica relief:

• Ginger Supplements:  You can take ginger supplements in the form of capsules or tablets. The recommended dosage for ginger supplements is usually 1-2 grams daily.
• Ginger Tea: You can make ginger tea by boiling a few slices of fresh ginger root in a cup of water for 10-15 minutes. You can add honey or lemon to taste.
• Ginger Oil: You can apply ginger oil topically to the affected area to help reduce inflammation and pain. Mix a few drops of ginger oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and massage the affected area.
• Ginger Compress: You can make a ginger compress by grating fresh ginger root, placing it in a cloth, and placing it on the affected area for 15-20 minutes.

c. Devil’s Claw

A plant that is native to southern Africa. Its roots contain compounds called iridoid glycosides, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. Devil’s claw also helps to improve circulation, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain.

Here are some ways to use Devil’s Claw in sciatica relief:

• Devil’s Claw Supplements:  Devil’s claw supplements are available in capsules or tablets. The recommended dosage for Devil’s Claw supplements is usually between 500-1000 mg daily.
• Devil’s Claw Tea:  You can make devil’s claw tea by making a teaspoon of dried devil’s claw root in a cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. You can add honey or lemon to taste.
• Devil’s Claw Ointment:  You can apply devil’s claw ointment topically to the affected area to help reduce inflammation and pain.
• Devil’s Claw Compress: You can compress a devil’s claw by soaking a cloth in a solution of devil’s claw tea and placing the cloth on the affected area for 15-20 minutes.

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6. Yoga

The practice of yoga can enhance flexibility, boost circulation, release muscle tension, and induce relaxation, which can alleviate sciatica discomfort by incorporating stretching and strengthening exercises.

However, it is crucial to realize that some yoga poses may not be suitable for individuals experiencing sciatica pain, as they can increase pain or put excessive pressure on the sciatic nerve.

It is recommended to seek guidance from a certified yoga teacher who can modify or avoid poses that may cause problems. Some recommended poses include the following below:

a. Downward Dog

This pose is beneficial for easing sciatica pain as it stretches the hamstrings and calves, helps lengthen the spine, improves circulation, and strengthens the core of the lower back, hips, and legs.

b. Spinal Twist

This pose stretched the muscles of the lower back, hips, and glutes. It also improves spinal mobility and improves circulation.

c. Pigeon Pose

This yoga pose is a hip opener that helps ease sciatica pain. It stretches the piriformis muscle that is in the glutes. Also, it stretches the hip flexors, improves circulation, and promotes relaxation.

It’s important to practice the yoga poses correctly and not overstretch, as this can aggravate the sciatica pain. Always listen to your body and work within your limits.

7. Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help to alleviate pain by stimulating specific points in the body and promoting the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals.

Conclusion

Using natural remedies for sciatica pain can be a safe and effective way to manage the symptoms of this condition. From gentle stretches, ginger, and turmeric to devil’s claw, yoga, and acupuncture, many natural remedies can help ease pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility. It’s important to remember that natural remedies may not work for everyone, and it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before trying any new treatment.

However, by taking a holistic approach to managing natural remedies in your daily routine, you can promote healing and feel more comfortable and confident in your body. So don’t be afraid to try these natural remedies and see what works best for you. With patience, persistence, and the right support, you can find relief from sciatica pain and start living your life to the fullest.

The post Breaking free from sciatic: Natural remedies to ease the pain appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Many of the drugs we take have their origins in traditional plant medicine. For instance, aspirin can be traced back to willow tree bark. The cancer drug taxol originates from the bark of the Pacific yew tree. And from the leaves of the Madagascar periwinkle plant, we get the chemotherapeutics vinblastine and vincristine.

One of the richest sources of plant-based remedies is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Scientists have found anticancer drugs obtained from TCM are more effective than chemical synthetic drugs and have less toxic side effects.

That’s why a team of researchers from China and the U.K. are collaborating to unlock the secrets of one of these medicinal herbs. And what they’ve discovered could be a breakthrough for treating this terrible disease…

Tracing the anticancer activity of barbed skullcap

TCM has used the Skullcap genus for centuries to treat different medical conditions. Previous clinical work has shown using preparations based on Scutellaria barbata during chemotherapy can reduce the risk of metastatic tumors, an advanced form of cancer that spreads to other areas of the body.

But until now, previous research had been unable to unlock how the plant produced its cancer-fighting compound which acts against a range of cancer cells.

In this most recent collaboration, led by CEPAMS, a partnership between the John Innes Centre and the Chinese Academy of Science and supported by The Royal Society, the researchers used DNA sequencing technology to assemble the complete genomic sequence of the barbed skullcap, scientifically known as Scutellaria barbata.

This genetic information — a microevolutionary history — gave researchers exactly what they needed to know about the plant’s powerful anti-cancer compound: scutebarbatine A.

Professor Cathie Martin, Group Leader at the John Innes Centre, and one of the authors of the study said, “We have found that the primary metabolite has activity against cancer cells but not non-cancer cells which is especially important for an anti-cancer metabolite. Now we are looking to develop synthetic methods for producing more of the lead compound.”

In TCM, practitioners isolate the medicinal chemistry of the herb by boiling it in water for 2 hours, then drying the extract to produce a powder. That powder is then taken as a decoction or concentrated liquid.

But now, knowing the biochemical pathway behind barbed skullcap’s anticancer activity allows researchers to come closer to synthesizing large quantities of the compound more rapidly and sustainably.

From nature to pharmaceutical

The road to becoming a drug is usually quite long and that alone comes with pros and cons. When pharmaceutical companies patent an active ingredient it can restrict other uses. But with TCM’s long history and knowledge, hopefully, true practitioners will be able to carry on their legacy as a welcomed presence within integrative medicine.

More doctors take an integrative approach to treating cancer than ever before. That means using the best of conventional medicine and traditional therapies. If you or someone you know is interested in the anti-cancer potential of Chinese skullcap, seek out an expert and talk to your physician.

One of the problems with buying “Chinese skullcap” supplements off the shelves of your local health foods store, or online, is that many of these are made using a different type of skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis. Like Scutellaria barbata, Scutellaria baicalensis has shown some anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Scutellaria barbata may also be labeled “barbed skullcap” or “ban zhi lian.”

As with any supplement, always follow the manufacturer’s serving suggestion and do not take more than is specified. Chinese skullcap varieties may cause irregular heartbeat, anxiety and mental confusion. It also should not be taken with statin drugs or blood thinners. It may also lower blood pressure, which could be a problem for anyone already on blood pressure-lowering medications.

Sources:

Discovery of anti-cancer chemistry makes skullcap fit for modern medicine — John Innes Center

The genomes of medicinal skullcaps reveal the polyphyletic origins of clerodane diterpene biosynthesis in the family Lamiaceae — Molecular Plant

Success Story: Taxol — National Cancer Institute

Vinblastine — Science Direct

The aspirin story – from willow to wonder drug — British Journal of Haematology

Scutellaria barbata: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Current therapeutic role and medicinal potential of Scutellaria barbata in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western research — Journal of Ethnopharmacology

The post This ancient Chinese herb could be the next big thing in cancer treatment appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But if your immune system response goes overboard, it attacks your body as if it were the enemy.

When this happens, autoimmune problems can develop. And one of the worst of the worst is rheumatoid arthritis.

Sadly, because no one knows exactly why one person’s immune system works perfectly, while another’s sets out to destroy their joints bit by bit, treatments that work have been few and far between.

This is especially true if you’re looking for a treatment where the side effects aren’t worse than the condition itself.

Now however, there’s hope on the horizon with research from Osaka University revealing not only a protein complex responsible for promoting the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, but also a natural extract with the power to block that complex — and possibly rheumatoid itself.

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Where rheumatoid starts

The protein complex the researchers found to be behind the painful march of rheumatoid is made up of two separate proteins, known COMMD3 and COMMD8.

“We had previously shown that the COMMD3/8 complex potentiates the humoral immune response, yet its role in autoimmune diseases remained unclear,” said study senior author, Kazuhiro Suzuki.

So the team created a mouse model that allowed the expression of one of the proteins — COMMD3 — to be switched off.

And the celebration began.

The researchers found that deleting COMMD3 caused the second protein, COMMD8, to degrade and the protein complex itself to completely disappear. And when the complex disappeared, the immune response driving autoimmunity disappeared too.

In fact, in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis, the researchers showed that blocking COMMD3 as soon as the mice exhibited symptoms stopped the progression of the disease.

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From cause to potential cure

But they didn’t stop there…

“Once we had established the importance of the complex in autoimmunity, we set about identifying a compound that could interfere with the formation of the complex,” explained Suzuki.

And they found it in an extract from the root of a medicinal plant, known to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, commonly called the “Thunder God vine.”

“Our chemical screen identified celastrol as the most potent inhibitor of the COMMD3/8 complex,” said Suzuki.

The study showed that celastrol actually binds to COMMD3 and prevents the formation of the COMMD3/8 complex, halting an immune system gone haywire and blocking the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Because of this, the researchers believe that celastrol is a particularly exciting lead for developing treatments against rheumatoid arthritis and even other autoimmune diseases.

This means that hopefully, not too far in the future, autoimmune problems could be a thing of the past.

Sources:

A herbal compound to fight autoimmunity – EurekAlert!

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Mental stress, for instance, has been linked to an increased risk of chronic health conditions. It can also promote inflammation and shift your metabolism in ways that make it more difficult to lose weight and manage blood sugar.

This relationship is often referred to as the mind-body connection. But it’s long been regarded as an abstract, intangible link. Some have even called it mumbo jumbo — until now…

That’s because the literal link between body and mind has been mapped in the very structure of the brain…

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A physical link between body and mind

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis weren’t looking to advance theories on the mind-body connection. They were simply seeking to verify a 1930s-era map of the areas of the brain that control movement, using modern functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

But they discovered something odd when they examined the collected fMRI data…

The new imaging confirmed that control of the feet, hands and face were in the spots identified in the original map. However, interspersed with those key areas were three additional regions in the brain’s motor area that did not seem to be directly involved in movement at all.

These three regions were also thinner than the original movement areas. And they were strongly connected to each other, and to other parts of the brain involved in thinking, planning, mental arousal, pain and control of internal organs and functions such as blood pressure and heart rate.

When analyzing these new regions further, the researchers found that while they did not become active during movement, they were activated when the person thought about moving.

What this shows is that the link between body and mind is more than abstract — it’s embedded in the very structure of our brains and expressed in our physiology and movements as well as our behavior and thinking.

According to senior author Dr. Nico Dosenbach, a professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, the connections make sense when considering what the brain is really for.

“The brain is for successfully behaving in the environment so you can achieve your goals without hurting or killing yourself,” Dosenback says. “You move your body for a reason. Of course, the motor areas must be connected to executive function and control of basic bodily processes, like blood pressure and pain. Pain is the most powerful feedback, right? You do something, and it hurts, and you think, ‘I’m not doing that again.’”

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Proof of the impact of the mind-body connection

Dosenbach and first author Dr. Evan M. Gordon, an assistant professor of radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, have named this newly identified nexus the Somato-Cognitive Action Network, or SCAN.

SCAN could explain phenomena such as why anxiety makes some of us want to pace back and forth, why stimulating the vagus nerve that regulates internal organ functions may relieve depression and why people who exercise regularly have a more positive outlook.

“People who meditate say that by calming your body with, say, breathing exercises, you also calm your mind,” Gordon says. “Those sorts of practices can be really helpful for people with anxiety, for example, but so far, there hasn’t been much scientific evidence for how it works. But now we’ve found a connection. We’ve found the place where the highly active, goal-oriented ‘go, go, go’ part of your mind connects to the parts of the brain that control breathing and heart rate. If you calm one down, it absolutely should have feedback effects on the other.”

This study is further confirmation that mindfulness practices like yoga, tai chi, meditation and mindful breathing have a positive physical effect on your body’s processes. If you already engage in one or more of those activities, it’s probably no surprise to you. But if you don’t, this evidence is all the more reason to give mindfulness a try.

Sources:

Mind-body connection is built into brain, study suggests — Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

A somato-cognitive action network alternates with effector regions in motor cortex — Nature

The post No mumbo jumbo: The mind-body connection built into your brain appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It can stop you from doing things you love, like golf or spending time with your grandkids. It can even stop you from getting out of bed.

So it’s no wonder that so many of us turn to our doctors to help us find relief and end up filling prescriptions for things like muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, steroids and even opiate drugs.

The question is…

Do they work and are they safe?

Sadly, according to researchers from UNSW Sydney, the answer is maybe not.

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A shot in the dark

Despite the fact that doctors are more than happy to prescribe a multitude of medications for low back pain, there hasn’t been a lot of science to back up the practice.

So those Australian researchers decided to see if they could finally prove there was a benefit.

The team looked at 69 different medicines or combinations of analgesic medicines, from Tylenol to hydrocodone and everything in between. And they delved into how the medications performed in cases of low back pain across 98 randomized controlled trials, involving over 15,000 participants.

And what it came down to was this…

No matter how popular these drugs are in the treatment of low back pain, when they were compared with a placebo, there was considerable uncertainty about how much pain relief they could provide.

In other words, it was a shot in the dark as to whether or not they could help.

To top it off, the researchers’ results even called into question the safety of the drugs, finding that some analgesic medicines could increase the risk of adverse events and side effects, like nausea, dizziness and drowsiness.

When asked about their findings, Professor James McAuley, Director UNSW’s School of Health Sciences, summed it up by saying:  “Despite more than 60 years of research, we are still uncertain whether any analgesic medicine provides meaningful pain relief for people with low back pain.  We recommend that doctors and patients take a cautious approach to managing acute low back pain with analgesic medicines until higher-quality trials of head-to-head comparisons are available.”

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A safer path to pain relief

So if you’re living with low back pain and can’t rely on these drugs for safety, much less relief, what can you do?

Believe it or not, pain is one area where the American College of Physician’s guidelines admits that alternative therapies may work best:

• For sub-acute low back pain, they recommend a combination of heat, massage and acupuncture.
• For chronic low back pain, the ACP recommends a multi-pronged natural approach including exercise, acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise, progressive relaxation, biofeedback and other similar therapy modalities.

Additionally, vitamins and supplements can be surprisingly effective for pain relief — especially these:

• Research shows that taking vitamin D can help sleep and reduce pain, which could make it a good option for low back issues.
• Omega-3s have been shown to essentially block pain by blocking chemical transmissions that exacerbate the perception of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Omega-3s are found in fatty fish, fish and krill oil.
• CBD has been found to be surprisingly helpful with arthritis pain, with six out of ten people reporting that cannabis products were more effective than other drugs they used at managing their pain.

Editor’s note: Before jumping into any CBD product, make sure it’s full-spectrum, doctor-approved and bioavailable. Learn more about Prosper CBD Oil today!

Sources:

Effectiveness and safety of analgesics to treat low back pain ‘uncertain’: study – UNSW Sidney

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It’s just human nature to assume the worst. And now that anytime any of us has a symptom we’re worried about, we become internet doctors.

Googling “men, frequent urination” tells you that it’s caused by “diseases that affect the urinary tract at any level.” In addition to enlarged prostate and kidney stones, it throws diabetes into the mix.

What it won’t tell you is that for one in seven men, the reason they trot from bedroom to bathroom going all night or give up their golf game for fear of bladder leakage, is a non-threatening, albeit annoying, slightly embarrassing condition known simply as overactive bladder.

It’s annoying but not scary

First things first. Every man should get annual prostate screenings after the age of 45 or 50. Because your prostate is in close proximity to your bladder, if it’s enlarged, for reasons benign or not (which your doctor can help determine) it can put pressure on your bladder.

So if you’ve all checked out in that department and you’re still going all night, it’s a good bet you simply have an overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is a kind of incontinence. You may think you have control of your bladder, but the truth is it’s calling the shots.

There are different kinds of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence (like when lifting or coughing puts pressure on your bladder); urge incontinence is when you feel an overwhelming urge to urinate; overflow incontinence is when your bladder isn’t completely emptying; and mixed incontinence is a combo of stress and urge incontinence.

If you haven’t already guessed, urge incontinence is the type most associated with overactive bladder, and is behind that compelling need to get to a bathroom pronto at any time of day or night. Though to be honest, they can all come into play to make your bladder overactive.

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What causes overactive bladder

In case you’re feeling self-conscious about your overactive bladder, you should know that more than 80 percent of people in their 60s deal with excessive nighttime urination — including women.

Sometimes the contributing factors to the condition may differ between the sexes, but basically, a bladder is a bladder — and if the muscles that control how it operates become weak, it doesn’t discriminate.

For men, once an obvious condition like enlarged prostate is ruled out, it’s hard to pin down an exact reason your bladder muscles weakened. But it’s not rocket science to realize that muscle in general weakens with age.

Have you suddenly started hitting the gym? Your glutes may not be the only muscles feeling the strain.

Are you still drinking eight glasses of water a day, even though your activity level has tapered off?

Are sodas, juice, coffee, tea or other acidic drinks (including alcohol) and foods a big part of your diet? They’re triggers to irritating your overactive bladder.

Calming your overactive bladder

Start with your answers to the questions I just posed…

If you’re working out but ignoring your pelvic muscles, your setting yourself up for trouble. Add in Kegel exercises. This may sound crass, but the muscles you’ll want to focus on are the same muscles you’d use to stop yourself from passing gas. Yep, those. Just tense, hold and release.

Next, cut down on water or any other liquid, especially the trigger ones, several hours before bedtime.

Now, there are medications your doctor can prescribe for your overactive bladder. But they can be concerning…

Anticholinergics are a commonly prescribed group of medications also called antispasmodics. They block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from binding to receptors on nerve cells, essentially relaxing the bladder. But acetylcholine is critical for memory function. That’s why using anticholinergics can put people at higher risk for developing mild cognitive impairment, which is considered a precursor to dementia.

No worries, Mother Nature is armed and ready to help you take on your overactive bladder…

• Research has shown pumpkin seed extract can have a positive effect on these annoying symptoms. One such study of 45 men and women who took the extract daily for 12 weeks experienced decreased daytime and nighttime frequency along with decreased urgency.
• Soy germ isoflavones help men (and women) maintain testosterone levels. Testosterone helps to regulate your sex drive, brain function, bone mass, muscle mass and strength — including the strength of the pelvic floor — and that’s why testosterone levels for men and women need to remain strong.

These “bladder supporters” have decades of credibility behind their effects on bladder health.

Just imagine the restful sleep you’ll enjoy when you’re not forced to get up multiple times during the night to pee. No one’s got time for that.

Sources:

The Burden of Overactive Bladder on US Public Health — Curr Bladder Dysfunction Rep

The post The other reason some men ‘go’ all night appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

They are often sudden and painful, and they come with little warning. Sometimes, though, they do offer warning signs like shortness of breath, visual aura and nausea. At other times, your experience with their appearance lets you recognize when one is coming.

While many people take prescription and over-the-counter medications to relieve the pain of migraine and headaches, there is a more natural way…

Using the simple method of self-acupressure to the specific points shown here, you can relieve a migraine greatly or stop its onset before it takes hold. These acupressure points come from ancient Chinese acupuncture but are done with only finger pressure. No need for needles.

Here is a series of points to locate, press and rub for 30 seconds each, from leg to hand to head, that can help reduce your pain and symptoms while helping reduce your dependence on medications.

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Leg Points

While it seems counterintuitive, points on the legs are very powerful for treating the body and head, especially where pain is associated. For this article, we will use two leg points, one on the shin and the other on the foot.

Gallbladder 34: This is the 34^th point located on the gallbladder energy channel. It is located in the depression just below and behind the head of the fibula. It is a great point for headaches because it is related to the sinews as well as the liver. When the liver qi (energy) stagnates from anger and stress, the sinews become tense and pain arises — especially with migraines, wherein blood vessels constrict to cause pain. Compressing this acupressure point releases the liver qi, opens the meridian, relaxes the sinews and helps reduce pain.

Gallbladder 42: This is the 42^nd point on the gallbladder energy channel meridian. It is located on the top of the foot between the pinky toe and the neighboring toe, next to the fourth metatarsophalangeal joint. It is used for headache and eye pain (think “cluster headache”), and it moves liver qi and heat from the gallbladder. When liver qi stagnates from stress and anger or if there is too much liver heat from alcohol or gallbladder heat from fatty or fried foods, the heat rises into the head and causes a headache. Think of your typical anger or hangover headache or the pounding feeling of a migraine.

Hand Point

The hand and arm also contain a vast number of powerful acupuncture points. For migraines, the point known as Large Intestine 4 (LI4), is of particular help. This is the fourth point found along the large intestine meridian. It is related to the intestines and digestion, and it is the so-called “command” point for the head and face. While this point has many uses, it works extremely well for headaches related to food triggers and is great for pain, anywhere in the body.

Head Points

Since the head is the location of migraine and headache pain and throbbing, it seems like this should be the first place to press points. However, to be most effective, I recommend releasing the points first in the legs and hands to remove blood stasis, energy blockages and other issues that can continue to cause migraine and headaches, even when direct points on the head are activated.

Yin Tang: This is a special point located on the forehead between the eyebrows. It is where many traditions locate the “third eye,” which is why its Chinese name “yin tang” can translate to “hall of impressions.” Based on personal experience, I tend to locate this point slightly above the central point between the eyebrows, in the depression just above them. The point is most useful for headaches, heavy head, foggy thinking, sinus blockage and insomnia: all things related to migraine.

DU 15: This point is located on the back of the head, just above the hairline at the occiput, below the spinous process of the first cervical vertebra. It is related to vitality and emotional issues, deafness, stiff neck and headache. Of these, stiff neck and emotional issues can trigger headaches and muscle tension in the base of the skull can trigger pain in the trigeminal nerve, which travels up the head from the back of the skull to the front.

Du 20: This is the so-called “hundred meetings” point where so many acupoints and vessels converge. It is on the top of the head, directly in the middle and is located by drawing a line from the top of both ears to where it meets on top.

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How to Apply

Self-acupressure is simple and easy. Simply use your thumbs or forefingers and press in and then rotate slowly for 30 seconds while pressing on the tender space at the points. Be gentler for toe points so you don’t bruise or injure the small toe bones. Press and rub to open the point and release the energy blockage. This helps restore balance in the meridian and, thus, remove what can negatively affect the body and cause migraine.

Check out my video for guidance on using acupressure for headache pain.

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