Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Neuralgia

Saturday, 30 November 2013

Neuralgia - The Diet against neuralgia

Neuralgia is defined as a condition of a sudden and heavy attacks of pain that follows the path of a nerve or nerves as a result of a change in neurological structure or function due to irritation or damage to the nerves without stimulating pain receptor (nociceptor) cells. the disease affects about 2%–3% of the population.
Diet against neuralgia
1. Low fat diet
There are many articles which can easily found in the net indicated that low fat diet can stop TN PAIN, from the Presented at the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association's 5th National Conference with no author indicated, tittle " A LOW SATURATED FAT DIET STOPS TN PAIN" , the writer wrote that The 76 year old patient that was in constant pain, had an attack of colitis and while hospitalized was given no food only liquid. After leaving the hospital she was put on a diet of liquid, bullion cube soup, and Jell-O. In a week her pain stopped. When she returned to her usual diet the pain returned. I encouraged the patient to try the American Heart Association diet, and once again her pain was gone. The patient was still taking 1200 mg of Tegretol daily. However, when she reduced the saturated fat to10 grams a day, she was able to stop taking the Tegretol. It is now six years later and the patient is still pain-free.(23)

2. Salmon
a. Antioxidants
In the research of the antioxidant effect of vitamin E after ingestion of salmon found that that megadoses of vitamin E, far from having pro-oxidative activity, actually increase the anti-oxidative capacity of the liver, especially after ingestion of salmon oil, according to "Effects of megadoses of dietary vitamin E on the antioxidant status of rats fed lard or salmon oil" by Flader D, Brandsch C, Hirche F, Eder K.(24)

b. Omega 3 fatty acids
Omega 3 fatty acids is necessary to maintain the ratio of good and bad cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cholesterol inflammation according to the study of "In vitro fatty acid enrichment of macrophages alters inflammatory response and net cholesterol accumulation" by Wang S, Wu D, Lamon-Fava S, Matthan NR, Honda KL, Lichtenstein AH., posted in PubMed (IV) and forming of free radical in the heart cells, leading to heart diseases. It also reduces the risk of plaque forming in the arterial wall, thus also decreasing the risk of stoke, according to the study of "N-3 vs. saturated fatty acids: effects on the arterial wall" by Sudheendran S, Chang CC, Deckelbaum RJ., posted in PubMed (25).

3. Green Tea
a. Immune system
In the investigation of the immunomodulatory effects of decaffeinated green tea extract in rain bow of the study of "Immunomodulatory effects of decaffeinated green tea (Camellia sinensis) on the immune system of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)" by Sheikhzadeh N, Nofouzi K, Delazar A, Oushani AK.[14a], researchers found that showed that decaffeinated green tea in lower doses of administration could be optimum to enhance the immunity of rainbow trout(26).

b. Antimicrobial activities
In the investigation of Antimicrobial activities of green of the study of "Antimicrobial activities of tea catechins and theaflavins and tea extracts against Bacillus cereus" by Friedman M, Henika PR, Levin CE, Mandrell RE, Kozukue N.[13a], researchers found that flavonoids in green tea has exerted its ability in protective effects against Bacillus cereus(27)

4. Turkey
a. Selenium
Turkey contains trace minerals selenium which is essential for the healthy function of the thyroid and immune system as it increases the antioxidant defense system by fighting against the forming of free radicals and reduce the risk of irregular cells growth causes of tumor and cancer, according to the study of "Selenium in the immune system" by Arthur JR, McKenzie RC, Beckett GJ.(28)

b. Saturated fat ( It is essential but do not over dose)
Nerve and brain tissue is made up of 60% fat. One-third of these fats need to be polyunsaturated, derived directly from diet and other from cholesterol stored in our body. This will allow proper development and maintenance of nerve cell membranes as well as neurotransmitters in transformation between themselves and glands, according to the article of "Fat" by wikipedia.(29)

5. Flaxseed
a. Omega 3 fatty acidsBesides well known for its benefits for the maintenance of a healthy cardio-vascular system, according to the study of "Omega-3 Fatty acids for cardiovascular disease prevention" by Defilippis AP, Blaha MJ, Jacobson TA, posted in PubMed(I) and proper ratio of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acid and prevent blood clotting, it also extends the portion of your cycle in which you are fertile, by promoting natural ovulation, according tothe study of "Postpartum ovarian activity in multiparous Holstein cows treated with bovine somatotropin and fed n-3 fatty acids in early lactation" by Carriquiry M, Dahlen CR, Weber WJ, Lamb GC, Crooker BA., posted in pubMed (30)

b. Antioxidants
Flax seed contains a high amount of antioxidant that helps to guard the body from forming of free radicals by promoting the proper DNA replication and cells division, according to "Free radicals, metals and antioxidants in oxidative stress-induced cancer" by Valko M, Rhodes CJ, Moncol J, Izakovic M, Mazur M.(31)

6. Orange
a. Bioavailability and antioxidant effects
In the reserach of Bioavailability and antioxidant effects of orange juice (OJ) into habitual diet found that after the 3 week intervention, plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E did not change. 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine in white blood cells declined by 16% (p = 0.38; n = 11), and in individuals with high baseline concentrations by 29% (p = 0.36; n = 7), respectively. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol ratios decreased but cholesterol (HDL, LDL, total) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance plasma concentrations did not change significantly, according to "Bioavailability and antioxidant effects of orange juice components in humans?" by Franke AA, Cooney RV, Henning SM, Custer LJ.(32)

b. Antiplasmodial activity
In the assessment of plant extracts against Plasmodium falciparum. In the present study, the hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol extracts of Citrus sinensis (peel), Leucas aspera, Ocimum sanctum, Phyllanthus acidus (leaf), Terminalia chebula (seed) and theirs effect against Plasmodium falciparum found that components present in the solvent extracts of L. aspera, P. acidus, and T. chebula have antiplasmodial activity. The high antiplasmodial activity observed make these plants good candidates for isolation of anti-protozoal compounds which could serve as new lead structures for drug development, according to "Antiplasmodial activity of botanical extracts against Plasmodium falciparum" by Bagavan A, Rahuman AA, Kamaraj C, Kaushik NK, Mohanakrishnan D, Sahal D.(33)

c. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is considered as on of most powerful free radical scavenger, it helps to enhane the immune system fighting against forming of free radical cause of irregular cells growth due to mutation of cells' DNA, including tumors and cancers, according to the study of "Vitamin C and cancer: what can we conclude--1,609 patients and 33 years later?" by Cabanillas F.(34)

7. Papaya
a. Anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects
In the investigation of extract of Carica papaya Linn. (CP) and its anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects found that the CP leaf extract may potentially provide the means for the treatment and prevention of selected human diseases such as cancer, various allergic disorders, and may also serve as immunoadjuvant for vaccine therapy, according to "Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects" by Otsuki N, Dang NH, Kumagai E, Kondo A, Iwata S, Morimoto C.(35)

b. Anti-inflammatory activities
In the assessment of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya leaves and its anti-inflammatory activity effect found that the extracts significantly reduced the persistent oedema from the 4th day to the 10th day of the investigation. The extracts also produced slight mucosal irritation at high doses. The study establishes the anti-inflammatory activity of Carica papaya leaves, according to "Anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya leaves" by Owoyele BV, Adebukola OM, Funmilayo AA, Soladoye AO.(36)

c. Antioxidants
Vitamin C is considered as one of powerful free radical scavenger among vitamin by fighting against the lipidperoxidation and preventing the irregular growth of cancers, including breast cancer, according to the study of "Effect of vitamin C on lipidperoxidation and antioxidant status in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients" ralikrishnan G, Amanullah S, Basha MI, Boopalan S, Vijayakumar S, Shakeel F (37)

8. Onions
a. Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects
In the research of onion (Allium cepa) (ACE) extracts onion (Allium cepa) extracts and theirs antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects found that the biochemical and histological disturbances were effectively attenuated on pretreatment with ACE. The present study showed that ACE may be a suitable cardioprotector against toxic effects of (DOX) doxorubicin, according to "Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extract on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats" by Alpsoy S, Aktas C, Uygur R, Topcu B, Kanter M, Erboga M, Karakaya O, Gedikbasi A.(38)

b. Anti-inflammatory

Since it contains high amount of antioxidants, onion enhances the immune system in fighting against the forming of free radicals and foreign invasion, thus eeducing the symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and gout and infection caused by bacteria, including E.coli and salmonella,etc., according to the study of Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of quercetin oxidation products from yellow onion (Allium cepa) skin." by Ramos FA, Takaishi Y, Shirotori M, Kawaguchi Y, Tsuchiya K, Shibata H, Higuti T, Tadokoro T, Takeuchi M., posted in PubMed (39)

9. Cauliflower

a. Antioxidant capacity
In the classification of polyphenols, flavonoids and glucosinolates of vegetables belonging to the Brassicaceae family and theirs antioxidant effects found that the antibacterial activity was determined against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. York cabbage extract exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes (100%) and Salmonella abony (94.3%), being the most susceptible at a concentration of 2.8%, whereas broccoli, Brussels sprouts and white cabbage had moderate to weak activity against all the test organisms. Good correlation (r2 0.97) was found between total phenolic content obtained by spectrophotometric analysis and the sum of the individual polyphenols monitored by HPLC-DAD, according to "Phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity of selected Irish Brassica vegetables" by Jaiswal AK, Rajauria G, Abu-Ghannam N, Gupta S.(40)

b. Anti inflamatory effect
In the research of Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) found abundantly in Brassica vegetables and it anti inflammatory effect found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and Akt was suppressed by BITC. BITC also inhibited ear edema formation and the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 in mouse skin treated with TPA. We demonstrate that BITC is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, and the anti-inflammatory properties of BITC may result from the downregulation of NFkappaB signaling, according to "Benzyl isothiocyanate exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in murine macrophages and in mouse skin" by Lee YM, Seon MR, Cho HJ, Kim JS, Park JH.(41)

10. Etc.