New: Tart Cherry Juice as a relief for Arthritis.

Tart cherries' juice has natural anti-inflammatory properties; but the actual chemical detail is unknown.  

From the Oregonian

May 30--The study was small but the results appear appetizing for arthritis sufferers and others with debilitating joint pain: Tart cherries seem to do a great job fighting inflammation.

Dr. Kerry Kuehl of Oregon Health & Science University led a study of 20 women age 40 to 70, each of whom has inflammatory osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Results showed that those who drank tart cherry juice twice daily for three weeks had significantly lower inflammation markers.

"With millions of Americans looking for ways to naturally manage pain," Kuehl says in a news release, "it's promising that tart cherries can help, without the possible side effects often associated with arthritis medications."

The findings were presented Wednesday at the American College of Sports Medicine Conference in San Francisco.

In a previous study, Kuehl found that those who drank tart cherry juice while training for a long-distance run reported less pain afterward than runners who didn't drink the juice.

Problems sleeping? Other options aside drugs are available.

The Washington Post just published a recent article about alternative options for sleeping problems, as well as some useful descriptions on some of the causes of sleep problems. Before you turn to drugs to aid in sleep, try these no nonsense options: 

Lifestyle changes. Behavior modification - such as changing sleep habits by getting up at the same time every day and avoiding naps - produced significant improvements for older adults with chronic insomnia, according to a 2011 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy. Seeing a therapist who specializes in insomnia might help 70 to 80 percent of people with chronic insomnia, often providing a "cure." (Pills treat the symptoms.) To find a sleep center where CBT is offered, call the American Academy of Sleep Medicine at 630-737-9700 or go to www.sleepcenters.org. Ask your insurer about coverage.

Exercise. A study of more than 3,000 adults, published in December in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity, found that 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity, such as running, improved sleep quality by as much as 65 percent. 

Read the full article here: 

http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=13358&Section=AGING

Iced and Hot Tea, a pleasant way to enjoy health benefits.

Teas can naturally be anti bacterial, prevent bad breath, be a source of anti oxidants, and also curb hunger pangs to help dieters. 01-13-12

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea," wrote Bernard-Paul Heroux. (http://www.quotegarden.com/tea.html)

What is it about a cup of hot tea that is so...soothing? I happen to think it's the warmth that emanates from pretty tea cups. But scientists credit a host of naturally-occurring compounds in tea with beneficial health effects.

All tea comes from the same plant: Camellia sinensis. And over the centuries as this plant grew in the sun, says the USDA Agricultural Research Service, it formed chemicals called "polyphenols" to protect it from the elements. Polyphenols are family to "flavonoids" - health-promoting antioxidant substances found in many fruits and vegetables.

When tea leaves are processed into the various forms of tea, the flavonoid content changes, say researchers. Green tea, for example, contains more simple antioxidant flavonoids while black tea contains more complex varieties.

Green, black and oolong teas are all from the same C. sinensis plant...just processed differently. Green tea is minimally fermented - the process of exposing to air and drying. Black tea is maximally fermented. And oolong tea is somewhere in the middle.        

Beside the fact that tea contains zero calories and soothes your soul, here are some other compelling reasons to enjoy a cup of tea:

Curb food cravings.  "Afternoon tea" was supposedly started by the 7th Duchess of Bedford (England) to keep her hunger pangs at bay between lunch and dinner. And (from personal experience) it also seems to work in those munch-prone hours after dinner.

Lower cholesterol. Tea drinking has shown to help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels in some studies. Powerful antioxidant substances in tea are believed to be the reason.

Fight infections. Several compounds have been found in black and green teas that work like antibiotics to fight off the bad bugs that make us sick.

Prevent halitosis (bad breath). Swish with tea to suppress foul mouth odor? Researchers at the University of Illinois found that some of the polyphenols in tea inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth that can cause this unpleasant smell.

What about herbal teas? While not officially "tea" from the Camellia sinensis plant, infusions from the leaves of other plants may have their own benefits, according to scientists at Tufts University.

Chamomile and peppermint teas, for example, appear to have infection-fighting capabilities. Peppermint tea is also rich in antioxidants that help fight against cancer growth. And a clinical trial with hibiscus tea showed a blood pressure lowering effect in volunteers who drank 3 cups a day for six weeks.

How to make a perfect cup of tea? Here are some key steps, according to Cindy Bigelow, whose grandmother invented Constant Comment:

-Start with cold fresh water every time, not the leftover in your tea kettle. "It's the oxygen in the water that opens up the tea leaf for full flavor extraction," says Bigelow.

-For black and oolong teas, bring the water to a rolling boil and then pour over leaves or tea bag. Steep for 1 or 2 minutes.

-Green teas are more delicate.  Use water that has just begun to boil and steep for 3 to 4 minutes.

-Do not, do not squeeze your teabag into your tea, says Bigelow. This releases bitter tannins that destroy flavor.

Lastly, "Remember the tea kettle," someone once said."It is always up to its neck in water, yet it still sings!"

http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=12131&Section=NUTRITION

S.Korean Led Team Announces Cancer Breakthrough.

Research recently conducted, has discovered how certain cancer fighting cells that naturally exist in the body act with various biological stimuli that may, someday, help lead to more effective and targeted cancer therapy. 

Asia Pulse Pte Ltd

10-11-11

SEOUL, Oct 11 Asia Pulse - An international research team led by a South Korean scientist has identified an agent that affects the ability of killer cells already present in human bodies to fight cancer, the science ministry said Tuesday.

Scientists are discovering ways to help "Natural Killer Cells" do their job to fight cancer. The team from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) has confirmed that an abundance of newly identified microRNA-27a* (miR-27a*) in the so-called "natural killer cells" inhibits the production of perforin and granzyme, which help fight cancer, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

"So for natural killer cells, microRNA-27a* is a negative agent," Kim Tae-don, a researcher from KRIBB, said in a telephone interview.

The discovery is significant because scientists did not previously know how the production of perforin and granzyme was controlled.

Laboratory experiments showed that injecting miR-27a* into natural killer cells caused a significant deactivation of the cancer-fighting cells, while an injection of microRNA inhibitor led to significantly increased activities of killer cells, the ministry said.

The research, partly funded by the science ministry, was jointly conducted with a team led by Prof. E. Peter Greenberg from University of Washington. It was published Sept. 30 on the Web site of a U.S. science journal, Blood.

"For effective treatment of cancer, optimizing activities by immune cells such as natural killer cells is an important step," the ministry said in a press release.

"The discovery of miR-27a* will be helpful in strengthening natural killer cells, and can be applied to other immune system cells, which in turn may help develop a cure for cancer."

http://www.lef.org/news/ LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=11754& Section=DISEASE.

Direct Physiologic Effects of Homeopathic Medicines Objectively Measured

Direct Physiologic Effects of Homeopathic Medicines Objectively Measured

News Source: 

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Sentiment: 

Positive

News Date: 

July 25, 2011

"Researchers from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India used a Medical Analyzer System to explore the autonomic response of selective homeopathic medicines in healthy persons. The objective of this investigation was to observe the changes produced in the variability spectrum of heart rate variability and blood flow variability following administration of placebo and different potencies of certain homeopathic medicines. This investigation is particularly interesting because, even though several clinical studies have demonstrated an effect of highly diluted homeopathic medicines, until now their action had not been directly observable."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21787219

New medical studies on ADHD/ADD and successful homeopathy treatment

Ritalin and Adderall are often prescribed to children without a second thought on lasting side-effects on their mental and chemical development.New studies are being released about the positive effects of Homeopathy in treatment of ADHD and ADD in children v.s. Ritalin and other potentially side-effect ridden treatments. In 2004, American physicians wrote over 28 million prescriptions for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) drugs, and by 2008 alone, this number increased substantially to over 39 million. Despite these scary-high numbers of powerful psychiatric drugs prescribed for our children, The Washington Post reported on a large, multi-center, federally funded study that "confirmed there were zero long-term differences between children who were continuously medicated and those who were never medicated"

Note:

"Although Ritalin and other psychiatric drugs given to children with ADD or ADHD may provide short-term benefits, research to date has found that these drugs do not provide long-term benefits. However, even scarier is the fact that even Newsweek noted, "There are no definitive long-studies to reassure parents that this stimulant isn't causing some hidden havoc to their child." And many people today believe these drugs do create havoc."

Read more....

Click to read more ...

Homeopathic Teething treatment offers safe alternative to Benzocaine for infants.

Homeopathic treatments offer a safe and effective alternative for a teething infant.ST-BRUNO, QC, May 4 /CNW Telbec/ - While seeing their baby smile is a guaranteed way of brightening any new parent's day, the process of cutting 20 new pearly whites can be distressing for babies - and parents. A recent Angus Reid survey, conducted on behalf of Boiron Canada, reveals 74 per cent of parents with children between the ages of six months and five years report teething pain as the most prevalent condition affecting their young children, topping other common childhood conditions like diaper rash and earaches.

"Teething is something that every child goes through, and it can often be a difficult time for both the child and parents," said Nicole Chamard, pharmacist. "Understanding that teething can cause a wide variety of symptoms can help parents find effective ways for treating their child's specific concerns."

Teething symptoms can occur weeks before the tooth rises, and can often be a challenge for parents to manage. Survey results show that when it comes to treating teething symptoms, 33 per cent of respondents claimed that irritability was the most difficult aspect of teething to manage. Ranking close behind were pain (25 per cent), sleeplessness (19 per cent) and drooling (11 per cent).

To help their children overcome the discomfort of teething, almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of respondents reported using some form of medicine to relieve their child's teething symptoms. In selecting medicine for their children, 98 per cent of parents reported efficacy as the most important product attribute for consideration, followed by safety (95 per cent) and ease of administration (84 per cent).

Camilia^®, a teething solution from Boiron Laboratories, is an effective, safe and easy-to-use product that is focused on relieving a wide range of symptoms related to teething. From irritability, to restlessness, and painful, swollen gums, Camilia's water-based formula packaged in a pre-measured single dose offers a sensible solution for parents of infants aged one month and older.

"Camilia is a safe solution for parents looking for an effective teething medicine for their children," said Majid Djoudi, president and CEO of Boiron Canada.  "With high satisfaction ratings from parents that use Camilia, it's a product that can provide relief for children's uncomfortable teething symptoms and peace of mind for parents."

On April 7, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public about the use of over-the-counter (OTC) products containing benzocaine, an ingredient used to reduce pain in the mouth and gums. Benzocaine use may cause a rare, but serious condition where the amount of oxygen that can be carried through the blood stream is greatly reduced. This condition is called methemoglobinemia. Parents and caregivers should not use OTC benzocaine products on children under two years of age, except under the advice and supervision of a healthcare professional. For more information: fda.gov. Health Canada has issued a warning alert on this subject on April 19, 2011. For more information: hc-sc.gc.ca

Camilia does not contain benzocaine.

Almost one-third (30 per cent) of those surveyed have used homeopathic medicine to treat teething symptoms in the past, and respondents showed a strong preference for homeopathic medicines with 54 per cent of respondents indicating they would prefer to use homeopathic medicine instead of conventional medicines.

Camilia Smiles
For the second year in a row, Boiron has launched the Camilia Smiles contest, a baby photo contest that allows Canadians to share their baby's most beautiful smile.  Photos can be uploaded to the contest website www.camiliasmiles.com between March 28 and June 30, 2011.  All entries will be posted to the contest website, and the smile with the most votes will be awarded a $2,000 Babies "R" Us gift card.  Other prizes include digital photo frames and Boiron product gift baskets.

Survey Methodology
From March 8 to March 11, 2011 an online survey was conducted among a targeted, representative sample of 1,003 Canadian parents of children aged 6 months - 5 years. All respondents are Angus Reid Forum panel members. The full dataset has been statistically weighted to ensure a representative sample. The margin of error is ±3.0%, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About Boiron
The worldwide leader in homeopathy, Boiron is best known for its signature product, Oscillococcinum - Oscillo, a leading flu medicine; Camilia, Cocyntal, Coryzalia and Stodal, a line of medicines for kids; and Arnica Gel, a first aid product for muscle aches, bumps and bruises. Boiron is committed to developing homeopathic medicines by promoting scientific research and educating physicians and the public for over 75 years worldwide and 20 years in Canada.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2011/04/c9093.html

Time to rejuvinate Case Study in medicine...

From Mark Hyman, MD's recent Huffinton Post Article: Is there a cure for Auto Immune Disease? Found here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/is-there-a-cure-for-autoi_b_756937.html

"The approach of finding and removing triggers of disease such as hidden microbes, toxins, or allergens, and supporting the body's function with nutrients and herbs and "pro" drugs such as probiotics is more than idea that needs to be proven. It is a movement that is now being practiced by thousands of practitioners at the cutting edge of medicine. It is an approach called functional medicine that has helped tens of thousands of patients worldwide. Shouldn't this revolutionary new method of practice be expanded and made available to more patients? Isabel's story should be common. We have the knowledge and the methods. Now we just need to apply them."

"The Unfortunate Demise of the Case Study in Medicine"

Historically medical discoveries originated from physicians' keen observation of their patients' diseases and responses to treatment. Doctors reported their findings to their colleagues or published them as case studies. Today these "case studies" are often dismissed as "anecdotes" and have become increasingly irrelevant. Instead, we now focus on randomized controlled trials as the only standard of "evidence".

Sadly, this dismisses the experience of thousands of patients and physicians as they apply new scientific findings to treat difficult conditions. Basic scientific discoveries often take decades to be translated into medical practice. Unfortunately, this prevents millions from accessing therapies that could benefit from them now. The determining factor in deciding whether to try a new approach with a patient is the risk/benefit equation. Is the treatment more likely to help than harm? How risky is the treatment? What are the side effects? How dangerous or risky is the current approach to a problem? How debilitating or life threatening is the disease being treated? These questions can guide exploration toward innovative approaches to chronic disease.

Except for treating infections with antibiotics and treating trauma, medicine today approaches most disease by suppressing, covering over, blocking, or otherwise interfering with the body's biology. We generally do not attempt to seriously address the underlying problems that lead to the disease in the first place. For example, cholesterol medications block an enzyme that produce cholesterol (among other important molecules like CoQ10), but they don't address why cholesterol may be high in the first place (factors like diet, exercise, stress, and genetics).

Doctors use beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, SSRI's (serotonin reuptake inhibitors), ACE-inhibitors, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories. We are inhibiting, blocking, or anti-ing everything. But we don't ask one simple question: Why is the body out of balance and how do we help it regain balance? There is a new approach to medicine that is beginning to ask these questions.

Read the full article HERE