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

Friday, 5 April 2019

Whole Food Tomato Protects Diabetics Against Complications Caused by Oxidative Stress

By Kyle J. Norton

Oxidative stress is an imbalanced ratio of free radicals and antioxidant enzymes produced by the host.

In other words, diseases associated with oxidative stress such as cardiovascular diseases [CVDs], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer are results of the prolonged period overexpression free radicals compared to reduced levels of antioxidants.

Free radicals are unstable molecules with a single electron in the outer ring. Therefore, in order to become stable, free radicals readily steal or donate an electron from other molecules, leading to a free radical cascade that cannot be stopped until all outer ring electrons are paired or inhibited by antioxidants.

Antioxidants are stable molecules that inhibit oxidation.

Diabetes is a chronic condition of insufficient insulin entered the bloodstream, caused either by the gradual died-off of the beta cells in the pancreas or insulin receptors clogged-up by cholesterol.

In our body, free radicals induced by cell metabolism for the body to function normally are inhibited by the antixodants either produced by the body or intake of antioxidant chemical compounds from the dietary sources.

Free radicals can enter our body from environmental factors, such as the air we breathe, the foods we eat.

Some researchers suggested that the reduced levels of antioxidants against the overexpression of free radicals are most likely occurred to people with a weakened immunes system such as the elderly due to aging.

Dr. Viviana I Pérez, the lead scientist said, "Currently, the Oxidative Stress (or Free Radical) Theory of Aging is the most popular explanation of how aging occurs at the molecular level".

And, "While data from studies in invertebrates (e.g., C. elegans and Drosophila) and rodents show a correlation between increased lifespan and resistance to oxidative stress (and in some cases reduced oxidative damage to macromolecules), direct evidence showing that alterations in oxidative damage/stress play a role in aging".

Tomato is red, edible fruit, genus Solanum, belonging to family Solanaceae, native to South America. Because of its health benefits, the tomato is grown worldwide for the commercial purpose
and often in the greenhouse.

On finding a natural compound for the treatment of diabetes with no side effect, researchers examined the beneficial effect of tomatoes in diabetics.

Participants with type-II diabetic group (n=40) and age-matched control group (n=50 are included in the study.

Before treatment, the type-II diabetic group showed significantly lower levels of antioxidant enzymes and very high lipid peroxidation rate compared to the control group.

According to the analysis of the short term supplementation, tomatoes (cooked) showed a significant improvement in antioxidant enzyme levels and decreased lipid peroxidation rate in the diabetic group for a period of 30 days.

Once again, in the total of 90 subjects included type 2 diabetic group (n = 40) and an age-matched control group (n = 50), researchers once against investigated the anti-diabetes activity of lycopene.

Patients with type 2 diabetes significantly lower levels of antioxidant enzymes and very high lipid peroxidation, as well as higher levels of lipid profile and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), compared to controls before application of lycopene.

Long term tomato supplementation in diabetes mellitus showed a significant improvement in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and decreased lipid peroxidation rate (p < 0.001), with no effect on lipid profile and glycated hemoglobin HbA1c levels.

In other words, long term tomato injection protects diabetics against complication associated with abnormally high levels of high blood glucose and lipid, through its antioxidant activity.

Taken altogether, tomatoes may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of complications caused by oxidative stress, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of lycopene in the form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose acute liver toxicity.

Sources
(1) Effect of short term supplementation of tomatoes on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in type-II diabetes by Subhash K1, Bose C, Agrawal BK. (PubMed)
(2) Effect of long term supplementation of tomatoes (cooked) on levels of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation rate, lipid profile and glycated hemoglobin in Type 2 diabetes mellitus by Bose KS1, Agrawal BK. (PubMed)
(3) Is the Oxidative Stress Theory of Aging Dead? by Viviana I Pérez,1,2 Alex Bokov,1,3 Holly Van Remmen,1,2,4,6 James Mele,4 Qitao Ran,1,2Yuji Ikeno,1,5,6 and Arlan Richardson. (PMC)

Phytochemical 3,3'-Diindolylmethane Protects the Heart Muscle Against the Onset of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

By Kyle J. Norton

Heart muscle or myocardium is one of three types of muscles in human, that build the walls of the heart.

Most common diseases of heart muscle include angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, and other heart muscle disease caused by restricting blood supply to the muscle.

Most common symptoms of heart muscle diseases include tightness, pain, or swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet

Some patients may also experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomforts include bloating, abdominal pain and shortness of breath caused by the reduced blood supply.

Most common risk factors associated with heart muscle disease including high blood pressure, heart tissue damage, heart problems, metabolic syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, excessive alcohol drinking.

Some researchers suggested that genetic preposition may have a strong effect in the induction of heart muscle disease.

The Genetics Home Reference wrote, " mutations in more than 30 genes have been found to cause familial dilated cardiomyopathy. These genes provide instructions for making proteins that are found in cardiac muscle cells called cardiomyocytes.

And, "Mutations in one gene, TTN, account for approximately 20 percent of cases of familial dilated cardiomyopathy".

3,3'-Diindolylmethane or DIM are phytochemicals derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, belonging to the group of Indoles, found abundantly in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale, etc.

On finding a natural ingredient which protects the heart muscle against the onset of cardiovascular disease researchers examined the 3, 3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) effects on cardiomyocytes.

Tested cell lines H9C2 used in the study was evaluated by DIM's influence on inflammation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by LPS. H9C2 cells incubated with DIM (10, 20 and 30 μM) with or without LPS for 24 h.

Treatment with various concentrations of DIM (10, 20 and 30 μM) inhibited the overabundance of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression) induced by LPS.

In other words, DIM normalized the levels of impaired TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression, in the LPS + DIM30(μM) group.

According to the tested assays, DIM treatment significantly blocked LPS-induced oxidative stress and inhibited LPS-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

Furthermore, DIM significantly inhibited the LPS-induced expression of a protein associated with proapoptosis and enhanced the expression of a protein involved anti-apoptosis.

Dr. Luo Q, the lead scientist, wrote on the final report, "DIM may have a protective effect for H9C2 cardiomyocytes against LPS-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis. DIM may be a new insight into the treatment of septic cardiomyopathy".

In order to find out more information about DIM anti-cardiovascular disease activity, researchers evaluated the function of DIM on the hypoxia‑induced cardiac injury.

The study included H9c2 cells pretreated with DIM (1, 5 and 10 µM) for 12 h and exposed to hypoxia for 12 h.

DIM with different doses extended markedly attenuated the increased transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6 and tumor necrosis factor‑α) induced by hypoxia.

DIM also modulated the genes associated with transcription of autophagy, compared with the hypoxia group.

DIM also protected the cells against apoptosis through inhibiting and exhibiting the proteins associated with anti-apoptosis and pro-apoptosis, respectively.

Taken altogether, 3,3'-Diindolylmethane derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol may be considered a supplement for the protection of heart muscle against the risk of heart disease, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Back to Kyle J. Norton Homepage http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) 3,3'-Diindolylmethane protects cardiomyocytes from LPS-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis by Luo Q1,2,3, Yang A1,2,3, Cao Q1,2,3, Guan H. (PubMed)
(2) 3,3'‑Diindolylmethane attenuates cardiomyocyte hypoxia by modulating autophagy in H9c2 cells by Liang K1, Qian WH1, Zong J. (PubMed)
(3) Familial dilated cardiomyopathy by The Genetics Home Reference. (NIH)

Bioactive Cucurbitacin B (CuB) Isolated from Cucumber Harbors Potent Chemopreventive Activity Against Prostate Cancer in Vitro and Vivo

By Kyle J. Norton

Prostate cancer found mostly in the older men is a chronic condition characterized by irregular cell growth in the prostate tissues caused by the alternation of cell DNA.

Most cases of prostate cancer start in the cells on the surface of the inner lining tissue before penetrating into deeper layers to induce a malignant tumor.

Believe it or not, prostate cancer can be classified into many different types, depending on the type of cell that causes the onset of primary cancer.

* Adenocarcinomas, the most common type of prostate cancer that develops in the gland cells that line the prostate gland.

* Ductal adenocarcinoma, the type of cancer starts in the cells that line the ducts (tubes) of the prostate gland. r

* Transitional cell cancer is cancer that starts in the cells that line the tube carrying urine to the outside of the body (the urethra).

* Squamous cell cancer is found to develop from flat cells that cover the prostate.

* Small cell prostate cancer is found in tissue made up of small round cells.

Prostate cancer can also be classified into different stages

1. Stage 0
If the cancerous cell has not penetrated in deeper tissue but in the surface of the prostate lining.

2. Stage I
In stage I, The cancerous cells are no longer in the surface but have invaded into deep the prostate lining, but still completely inside the prostate.
a. Stage IA1
The cancer is not ≤ 3 mm (1/8 inch) deep and ≤ 7 mm (1/4 inch) wide.
a.1. Stage IA1: The spreading is < 3mm(1/8 inch) deep and & less than 7mm (1/4 inch) wide.
a.2. Stage IA2: The invasion area is ≥ 3 mm but ≤ 5 mm (about 1/5 inch) deep and & less than 7 mm (about 1/4 inch) wide.

b. Stage IB:
Cancer in this stage has invaded the connective tissue, & less than 5cm (2 inches).

b.1. Stage IB1: Cancer is 4 cm large (1 3/4 inches).b.2. Stage IB2: Cancer is ≥ 4 cm (1 3/4 inches) but & less than 5cm (2 inches)

3. Stage II
In stage II, the cancerous cells have spread to distant tissues but are still within the prostate.

4. Stage III
In this stage, cancerous cells have spread to the tissues immediately surrounding the prostate.

5. Stage IV
In this stage, cancerous cells have spread to the tissues immediately outside of the prostate, into other distant parts of the body

Cucumber plant is a species of Cucumis Sativus, belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae and native to Western Asia. It is a creeping vine with roots in the ground and grows up with the support of frames.

With an aim to find a natural and potential ingredient for the treatment of prostate cancer with no side effects, researchers investigated Cucurbitacin B (CuB), a natural compound isolated from cucumber and other vegetables.

In PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines, CuB significantly and specifically inhibited prostate cancer cell growth with low IC50 at a concentration of 0.3 μM.

CuB induced cancer cell apoptosis by modulating the proteins associated with program cell death and pro-apoptotic pathways.

Furthermore, the bioactive compound also increased the accumulation of Sub-G0/G1 population before exhibiting cell cycle arrest.

According to the results of a chemopreventive model, pre-treatment of mice with CuB(2 weeks before PC-3 prostate cancer cell implantation significantly reduced the rate in vivo tumor-formation.

Moreover, CuB resulted in a 79% reduction in tumor size (accompanied by marked in situ apoptosis) of the treated group without causing noticeable toxicity compared to controls at day 31.

In vitro and in the CuB-chemopreventive mouse model, CuB at a dose-dependent inhibited enzyme ATP citrate lyase phosphorylation associated with cancer cell metabolism.

The findings suggested that CuB harbors potent chemopreventive activity against prostate cancer via a number of mechanisms, without inducing harmful side effects.

Taken altogether, cucumber processed a high amount of CuB may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of CuB in the form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose acute liver toxicity.

Sources
(1) Inactivation of ATP citrate lyase by Cucurbitacin B: A bioactive compound from cucumber, inhibits prostate cancer growth by Gao Y1, Islam MS1, Tian J1, Lui VW2, Xiao D. (PubMed)

Herbal Bilberry, A Natural Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with No Side Effects

By Kyle J. Norton

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease found mostly in the aging population characterized impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. caused by the gradual loss or death of neurons. These symptoms are slowly getting worse over time and becoming severe enough to interfere with daily activity.

60 percent to 80 percent of dementia found in the US are involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

According to the statistics, the numbers of patients living with AD is growing fast, affecting over 5.5 million people age 65 and older. AD is a sith leading cause of death in the US. Most patients AD lives four to eight years after diagnosis. However, the years of survival rate is totally depending on other factors.

Contrast to general belief, getting old is a risk factor of AD but AD is not a disease of aging. Approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

As of today, there is no cure for AD, the aim of treatment is to slow down the severity of the symptoms and delay the progression of the disease.

In other words, treatment is to improve the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.

Besides aging, physically active, smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, medical conditions such as metabolic syndrome, stress are some of the prevalent risks of AD.

Some researchers in the investigation of the correlation between obesity and AD wrote, "There is ample scientific as well as empirical evidence that obesity and its metabolic and vascular comorbidities are related to AD and likely in the causative pathway".

And, "Obesity prevention and treatment could prove to be an efficacious and safe approach to preventing AD, a serious and daunting epidemic disease".

Bilberry is a species of low-growing shrubs in the genus Vaccinium, belonging to the family Ericaceae, native to Northern Europe.

The plant berry has been used as herbs in traditional medicine for the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea, gastritis, gastric ulcer, and duodenal ulcer, enterocolitis, ulcerative colitis, anemia, cystitis, kidney disease, and psoriasis, diabetes, etc.

In the searching a natural ingredient for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with no side effects, researchers at the effects of different polyphenols on neuroprotection and APP processing under different stress conditions in transgenic AD mice (APdE9).

Selected mice induced free radical toxicity and apoptosis in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells overexpressing APP751.

APdE9 mice fed with anthocyanin-rich bilberry showed the decreased Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)APP C-terminal fragment levels, the indication of reduced death of neurons in the cerebral cortex compared to APdE9 mice fed with control diet.

Furthermore, soluble Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels, the plaque in the brain associated with increased risk for AD, mild cognitive impairment, and cognitive decline were significantly decreased in bilberry-fed mice, compared to blackcurrant-fed mice.

Moreover, bilberry diet protected the spatial working memory of aged APdE9 mice, compared to mice on the control diet, thus reducing the risk of deficits.

The results clearly suggested bilberry diet protects the integrity and viability of the neuron in the brain against the risk of AD.

Dr. Vepsäläinen S, the lead scientist said, "These data suggest that anthocyanin-rich bilberry and blackcurrant diets favorably modulate APP processing and alleviate behavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of AD".

In order to reveal more information of bilberry anti AD activity, researchers examined the anthocyanoside extracts (Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanoside (VMA)) obtained from bilberry on the aggregation and deposition of the amyloid beta (Aβ1-42) peptide in fibrillar form.

According to the tested assays, injection of VMA protected Neuro2a cells by inhibiting the formation of Aβ peptide fibrils and reducing the toxicity of these aggregates in vitro.

A diet containing 1% VMA was found to exhibit the significant activity in the prevention of the cognitive degeneration in AD tested mice.

Interestingly, VMA promoted the cognitive ability accompanied not by a reduction in an aggregate deposition in brains, rather an increase in insoluble deposits compared to control diet mice.

In other words, bilberry protected the brain neuro against the risk AD by diverting Aβ aggregation to insoluble deposits, an alternate, non-toxic form.

Taken altogether, bilberry processed abundantly bioactive compound anthocyanoside may be considered a function remedy for the prevention and treatment of AD, pending to the validation of larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Back to Kyle J. Norton Homepage http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

References
(1) Anthocyanin suppresses the toxicity of Aβ deposits through diversion of molecular forms in vitro and in vivo models of Alzheimer's disease by Yamakawa MY, Uchino K, Watanabe Y, Adachi T, Nakanishi M, Ichino H, Hongo K, Mizobata T, Kobayashi S, Nakashima K, Kawata, (PubMed)
(2) Anthocyanin-enriched bilberry and blackcurrant extracts modulate amyloid precursor protein processing and alleviate behavioral abnormalities in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by Vepsäläinen S1, Koivisto H, Pekkarinen E, Mäkinen P, Dobson G, McDougall GJ, Stewart D, Haapasalo A, Karjalainen RO, Tanila H, Hiltunen M. (PubMed)
(3) Obesity as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease: weighing the evidence by Alford S1, Patel D2,3, Perakakis N4, Mantzoros CS. (PubMed)

Thursday, 4 April 2019

Herbal Artichoke Inhibits Plaques That Cause Atherosclerosis, Scientists Say

By Kyle J. Norton

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease associated with hardening and stiffing of the arterial wall caused by long-term plague accumulation, leading to the reduced function of the arterial to transport oxygen risk blood to the heart and the body.

Atherosclerosis is also a leading cause of 3 types of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease.

Plaque is a substance made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.

Atherosclerosis is a very slow growing disease, the progression of the disease are associated with the slow plaque accumulation which starts at an early age, depending on the diet and lifestyle pattern.

Most common symptoms of atherosclerosis are associated with the reduced supply of oxygen to tissue and organs, including chest pain or angina. pain in your leg, arm, shortness of breath. fatigue. confusion, muscle weakness in your legs from lack of circulation.

If you experience some of the above symptoms, please make sure that you check with your doctor to rule the possibility of atherosclerosis.

Conventionally, most cases of atherosclerosis are treated with Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors which help to slow the progression of atherosclerosis by lowering blood pressure and producing other beneficial effects on the heart arteries.

However, some researchers suggested that heart-healthy lifestyle changes may also have a strong implication on the disease.

Dr. Matthias Nahrendorf, the lead scientist in the examination of the link between lifestyle and risk of atherosclerosis, said, "Accumulating data indicate that psychosocial stress and a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet aggravate the cardiovascular disease, whereas regular physical activity and healthy sleeping habits help prevent it".

The results clearly suggested that people followed a healthy lifestyle are associated with the risk of

atherosclerosis.

Artichoke is a perennial thistle of Cynara cardunculus species of the Cynara genus, belonging to the family Carduoideae native to Southern Europe around the Mediterranean.

The herbal plant has been used in traditional medicine as a liver protective and detoxified agent, and to treat digestive disorders, abdominal pain gas and bloating, etc.

On review of the clinical and pharmacological of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.), used in European medicine from the 18th century for the treatment of chronic disease, researchers examined the herbal remedy effect against atherosclerosis.

Injection of artichoke inhibited the onset and progression of atherosclerosis by modulating the levels of plasma lipid levels through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Futhermore, artichoke also induced the production of antioxidant enzymes against the free radical oxidation in the liver tissues.

In other words, artichoke protected the arteries against the accumulation of plaque on the arterial wall by protecting the liver in lipid metabolism through its antioxidant activity.

Furthermore, in order to reveal more information about artichoke anti-atherosclerosis activity, researchers evaluated the polyphenols and flavonoids in artichoke leaf tincture (ALT) against cellular oxidative damage.

The study included 18 male Wistar albino rats divided into three groups (n = 6/group):
* The control group (CG) was fed with standard pellet chow for 11 weeks;

* The AD group was fed for a similar period of time with pellet chow supplemented with 2% cholesterol, 3% sunflower oil and 1% sodium cholate. and

* The ADA group was fed with pellet chow (for 1 week), the atherogenic diet (see above) for the following 4 weeks and then with ALT (0.1 mL/kg body weight) and atherogenic diet for 6 weeks.

During the study, researchers found that compared to the AD group

* The ADA group exerted a significant increase of antioxidants activity observed by the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO1).

* The ADA group lower the expression of MCP-1 which has been strongly linked to atherosclerosis in both animal and human studies.

* The ADA group lower the DNA scores associated with the risk of atherosclerosis.

Compared to the CG group, the HO-1 mRNA involved immune response was also lower in the ADA group.

In other words, artichoke inhibited the effects of the atherogenic diet through reduced MCP-1 expression, thereby preventing oxidative damage.

Taken altogether, artichoke may be considered a functional remedy for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, pending to the confirmation of larger sample size and multicenter human study.

(1) [Artichoke--untapped potential of herbal medicine in the treatment of atherosclerosis and liver diseases].[Article in Polish] by Horoszkiewicz M1, Kulza M, Malinowska K, Woźniak A, Seńczuk-Przybyłowska M, Wachowiak A, Florek E.(PubMed)

(2) The role of artichoke leaf tincture (Cynara scolymus) in the suppression of DNA damage and atherosclerosis in rats fed an atherogenic diet by Bogavac-Stanojevic N1, Kotur Stevuljevic J1, Cerne D2, Zupan J2, Marc J2, Vujic Z3, Crevar-Sakac M3, Sopic M1, Munjas J1, Radenkovic M4, Jelic-Ivanovic Z. (PubMed)
(3) Lifestyle Effects on Hematopoiesis and Atherosclerosis by Matthias Nahrendorf and Filip K. Swirski. (Circulation Research)

Honey Improves Sexual Behavior and Fertility In Male Smokers in Vivo

By Kyle J. Norton

Human sexual behavior is influenced by biological and cultural elements ranging from the solitary (such as masturbation and autoerotic stimulation) to partnered sex.

Fertility is a natural capability for the production of offspring.

Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It affects over 5 million couple alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world.

According to the statistics, assuming the couple is healthy, the older you age, the risk of reproductive organ malfunction increases including endometriosis and fibroid.

In females

* In the late of 20 and early 30, 84 % are fertile and only 16 are infertile.

* In the mid 30 - 39, 75 % are fertile and only 25% are infertile.

* By age 40 the 50% are fertile and 50% are infertile.

In males, according to the study of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the rate of miscarriage also increases substantially when the father was over the age of 35.

* Nearly 17 percent if the father was over 34 years old.

* Around 20 percent if the father was between the ages of 35 and 39.

* Over 32 percent if the father was older than 44.

The fertility rate is the measurement of the number of offspring born per couple in the general population in a region or country.

Honey, the rich golden liquid is the miraculous product made by bees using nectar from flowers.

The liquid is considered one of the healthy food for replacing the use of white sugar and artificial sweetener by many people.

With an aim to find a natural therapy for the treatment of chronic inflammation among smokers, researchers examined the potential protective effect of honey against the toxic effect of cigarette smoke (CS) on sexual behavior and fertility of male rats.

32 adult Sprague-Dawley rats selected to the study were randomly divided into four groups (8 rats/group) as control, honey (H), CS and H plus CS (H + CS) groups.

Rats in control and CS groups received oral administration of distilled water daily while rats in H and H + CS groups received honey (1.2 g/kg body weight/day) by oral gavage.

Rats in CS and H + CS groups were also exposed to CS for 8 min 3 times/day.

According to the data accumulated from the 10 to 13 weeks of treatment, pretreatment of honey significantly increased the percentages of rats achieving intromission and ejaculation.

Honey treatment also increased the mating and fertility indexes of male rats exposed to CS compared to untreated CS group.

The findings clearly suggested that honey has a protective effect against CS-induced impaired sexual behavior and fertility in male rats.

Taken altogether, honey may be considered a functional remedy for the protection of sexual behavior and fertility function male smokers with no side effect, pending to the confirmation of large sample size and multicenter human study.

Herbal Ginger, the Potential Remedy for the Prevention and Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer, According to Studies

By Kyle J. Norton

Head and neck cancer is a class of cancer including the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, sinuses, or salivary glands.

Most cases of head and neck cancer start in the cell of the inner lining of the affected tissue. However, at the later stage, the cancer cell can travel a distance away from the original site to infect other healthy tissues and organ, leading to secondary metastasis.

The exact causes of head and neck cancer are unknown. However, certain risk factors have been found to associate with the onset of the disease, including, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, infected by the HPV virus, poor oral health, race, long-term exposure to wood dust.

Some researchers suggested that people who perform oral sex before sexual intercourse is at a higher incidence of disease development as human papillomavirus (HPV) can spread during oral sex, increasing the possibility of oral cancer.

According to the statistics, in the US, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus.

Dr. Ankit Shah, the lead scientist in the examination of oral sex and human papillomavirus-related head and neck squamous cell cancer, wrote, "Unprotected sexual behaviors with the HPV carrier plays an important role in the transmission of this virus".

And, "The global incidence of head and neck cancers is declining, but the incidence of HPV related head and neck cancers is rapidly increasing over the last few decades".

Unfortunately, the doctor team continued, "However, most institutions do not mandate documentation of sexual history or counseling of patients regarding sexual practices like they do for tobacco and alcohol addictions in HNSCC patients".

The results strongly suggested that HPV can transmit and cause head and neck cancer.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) or ginger root, the second superfood used for thousands of years by mankind, is the genus Zingiber, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to Tamil.

The root has been used in traditional and Chinese medicine for the treatment of dyspepsia, gastroparesis, constipation, edema, difficult urination, colic, etc.

Researchers on finding a natural remedy for the treatment of head and neck cancer examined the two major pharmacologically active compounds of ginger, 6-gingerol, and 6-shogaol on head and neck cancer cell lines.

According to assays, injection of 6-gingerol, and 6-shogaol showed a dose-dependent reduction of cancer cell viability and induced cancer cells apoptosis.

Furthermore, according to the Western blot analysis, injection of ginger also suppressed the protein associated with the antiapoptotic activity, namely the survivin.

Combination of 6-shogaol with cisplatin also showed a synergistic reduction of clonogenic survival.

The results strongly suggested that ginger inhibits head and neck cancer cells through degradation and apoptosis.

Moreover, in order to reveal more information about ginger anti-cancer effects, researchers evaluated
the 1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), extracted from rhizomes of tropical ginger against human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line HN4.

Application of ACA exerted significantly inhibited activity against the growth of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line HN4 and induced cell apoptosis.

The efficacy of ACA was associated with the inhibition of the expression of miR-23a, which has been found to promote growth and suppress apoptosis in HN4 cells.

Under the transfection process, ginger demonstrated a strong anti-miR-23a activity by stimulating the inhibition of the proliferation of HN4 cells and inducing cell apoptosis.

Where miR-23a is an RNA gene which can repress tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) for the growth of the tumor.

Taken altogether, ginger processed major active compounds may be considered a functional remedy for the prevention and treatment of head and neck cancer, pending to the confirmation of large sample size and multicenter study.

Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Back to Kyle J. Norton Homepage http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

References
(1) 6-shogaol induces apoptosis and enhances radiosensitivity in head and necksquamous cell carcinoma cell lines by Kotowski U1, Kadletz L1, Schneider S1, Foki E1, Schmid R2, Seemann R3, Thurnher D4, Heiduschka G. (PubMed)
(2) MicroRNAs contribute to the anticancer effect of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line HN4 byWang H1, Shen L, Li X, Sun M. (PubMed)
(3) Oral sex and human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell cancer: a review of the literature by Ankit Shah, Akshat Malik, Apurva Garg, Manish Mair, Sudhir Nair, and Pankaj Chaturvedi. (BMJ Journal)