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

Thursday 17 August 2017

Alternative Therapy: Yoga, The best in Improved Cognitive Function?

Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrients, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, 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 Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Yoga therapy ameliorated cognitive decline through improved psychological symptom of stress, a Duke University Medical Center Durham study suggested.

Yoga, the accident technique practice for harmonized external and internal body well being, through breath control, meditation, bodily movement and gesture..... has been well known for people in Western world and some parts in Asia due to health benefits reported by various respectable institutes' research and supported by health advocates.

Cognition is the reaction and learning process of the brain through information received, involving perception, sensation, notion, or intuition.

In the study of the neurocognitivecorrelates of emotion interference on cognition in Yoga practitioners and a matched control group (CG) underwent fMRI while performing an event-related effective Stroop task, Image of participated, yoga group showed a improved cognitive function through exhibited less reactivity in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) to negative as compared to neutral images in compared to opposite pattern in control.

Additionally, Yoga practitioners had greater activation in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) in compared to opposite pattern of control.

In the review of literature of acute studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga with reported cognitive outcomes, 7 acute exposure studies indicated that yoga has a strong effect in cognition including memory (g = 0.78, p < .001), followed by attention and processing speed measures (g = 0.49, p < .001) and executive functions (g = 0.39, p < .003).
But in 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), yoga attendees only expressed a moderate effect in cognition.

Unfortunately, in a randomized, controlled trial comparing yoga, exercise, and wait-list control groups of 135 generally healthy men and women aged 65-85 years, yoga group showed a significant improvement in physical measures (eg, timed 1-legged standing, forward flexibility) as well as a number of quality-of-life measures related to sense of well-being and energy and fatigue compared to controls but no relative improvements of cognitive function among healthy seniors in the yoga or exercise group compared to the wait-list control group.

Taking altogether, the conflict results of the studies probably due to the small sample size, study designed, age group, stage of mental impairment,....,......It is up to the readers to verify themselves after attending few weeks of yoga lessons.

For More information of yoga lessons tailor to a complete well being for women, please visit: YOGA BURN

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

Souces
(1) Neurocognitive correlates of the effects of yoga meditation practice on emotion and cognition: a pilot study by Froeliger BE1, Garland EL, Modlin LA, McClernon FJ.(PubMed)
(2) Yoga and Cognition: A Meta-Analysis of Chronic and Acute Effects by Gothe NP1, McAuley E.(PubMed)
(3) Randomized, controlled, six-month trial of yoga in healthy seniors: effects on cognition and quality of life by Oken BS1, Zajdel D, Kishiyama S, Flegal K, Dehen C, Haas M, Kraemer DF, Lawrence J, Leyva J.(PubMed)

Wednesday 16 August 2017

Food Therapy: Cruciferous Vegetables - The Best Whole Food Medicine for Reduced Risk and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, 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 Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Whole food(herbal medicine) used as medical treatment, linking health benefits in prevention, management and treatment of diseases has induced much interests in today renowned scientists.
But many researchers have raised question of herbal quality, because geographic differences, time of grown and harvest, etc. may effect their's potency. I do believe, these questions can only be answered by experience herbalists.

People who have eaten cruciferous vegetable regularly may be beneficiary for reduced risk of cardiovascular disease by 15.8%, a renowned study suggested.

In the review of the association between the consumption of green leafy vegetables and risk of incidence of said diseases, intake of cruciferous vegetable is inversely associated to the incidences of total cardiovascular disease.

Cruciferous vegetables are the group of vegetables belonging to the family Brassicaceae, including cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli etc.

Heart disease kills more than 2,000 Americans everyday. Approximately 60 million Americans have heart disease. There are many causes of heart disease. Anything that serves to damage the inner lining of blood vessels and impedes the transportation of oxygen and nutrition to the heart can be defined as a risk of heart disease. Here are some early indication of heart disease symptoms:

In the study of cruciferous vegetables and its Role in Chronic Diseases, Indole-3-Carbinol, the chemical found only in the vegetable exerted several biological activities on cellular and molecular levels in prevention of the cancer and chronic illness such as cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, the joint study lead by the The First Hospital of Jilin University, also suggested that sulforaphane, a chemical found in cruciferous vegetable exhibited protection against cardiovascular disease through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in reduction of oxidate stress, namely activation of Nrf2 in regulated the expression of antioxidant.

Dr. Bai Y, the lead author in the study said, " Several studies have highlighted the cardinal role played by the overproduction of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species in the pathogenesis of ischemic myocardial damage and consequent cardiac dysfunction".

Taking together, there is no doubt that intake of cruciferous vegetable regularly is associated to reduced risk and treatment of cardiovascular disease. But in order to achieve the maximum benefits, moderate exercise accompanied with change of diet and life style are necessary.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

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

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

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

Sources
(1) The effect of green leafy and cruciferous vegetable intake on the incidence of cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis by Pollock RL1.(PubMed)
(2) Indole-3-Carbinol and Its Role in Chronic Diseases by Licznerska B1, Baer-Dubowska W2.(PubMed)
(3) Sulforaphane Protects against Cardiovascular Disease via Nrf2 Activation by Bai Y1, Wang X2, Zhao S3, Ma C4, Cui J5, Zheng Y4(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy: Chaste Tree Berry Anti Estrogenic Activity

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, 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 Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

If you expect that herbal medicine will ease the symptoms of your illness immediately, you will be disappointed. Symptoms of the diseases can only be eased gradually, depending to stage of the treatment which directly address to the cause of the disease.

Chaste tree berry(Vitex agnus-castus), is found to process anti estrogenic property in binding the estrogen receptors for a balance between the activities of estrogen receptor ERα or ERβ.

The herb is a species of Vitex agnus-castus, genus Vitex, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, used in herbal medicine for thousands of year as anaphrodisiac herb and considered as Queen herb in treating menstrual problems and discomforts.

Anti estrogenic effects is an action of binding the estrogen receptor(ERα ) and/ERβ in inhibiting the excessive levels of estrogen circulation in the body.

According to the University of Alabama in Huntsville, in the study of potential effect of estrogen mimics or anti-estrogens in phytochemicals of popular dietary herbal supplements, researchers found that almost all herbal supplements containing phytochemical components showed a capability in binding to the human estrogen receptor and exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulation, including chaste tree berry.

Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia, significantly expressed anti estrogenic effect in reduced the prolactin release stimulated by E2 in induced inhibition of ERα mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner, through its anti estrogenic effect.

In a hyperprolactinemia (MIHP) induced by administration of metoclopramide dihydrochloride (50 mg/kg, tid, ip, for 10 d) in SD rats, rat treated with casticin (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, ip, for 7 d) reduced serum prolactin levels by 33.9%, 54.3%, and 64.7% and at(1 and 10 micromol/L) inhibited E2-induced pituitary cell proliferation by 27.7% and 42.1%, respectively through reduced levels of 17β-Estradiol (E2) significantly.

More importantly, oral administration of casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia displayed an anti estrogenic activity in decrease excessive levels of 17β-Estradiol (E2) significantly

Taking together, Chaste tree berry processes strong estrogenic and anti estrogenic effects in binding estrogen receptor site to preserve the balancing of hormone expression of estrogen through ER alpha and ERBeta inhibition and exhibition.

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

Sources
(1) A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements by Powers CN1, Setzer WN1.(PubMed)
(2) Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia, inhibits prolactin release in vivo and in vitro by YE Q1, ZHANG QY, ZHENG CJ, WANG Y, QIN LP.(PubMed)

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Herbal Therapy: Chamomile, the Best Natural Whole Herb Medicine for Immunomodulatory effect

Administration of the chamomile extract in five doses enhanced the total white blood cells count (up to 1.2 × 10(4) cells/mm(3)) and increased significantly bone marrow cellularity.

Chamomile is also known as camomile, common name of many species daisy-like plants in the family Asteraceae, used in traditional medicine as antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory constituents and to treat menstrual cramps and sleep disorders, reduce cramping and spastic pain in the bowels, relieve excessive gas and bloating in the intestine, etc.

The immune system is the set of cells comprised of the body's defense system against diseases.

Heteropolysaccharides found in Matricaria chamomilla L. showed to normalize the developing of the immune response upon air cooling as a result of initiated immunostimulating properties of enlargement of red blood cells and activization of immunoregulation cells.

Dr. Ghonime M, the lead author, said, "immunomodulatory activity,.....Chamomile extracts may have therapeutical implications in prophylactic treatment of opportunistic infections and as supportive treatment in oncogenic cases".

There is no doubt that chamomile and its chemical ingredients have expressed a strong immunomodulatory activity in protection of our body against various diseases, but intake of large quantity should be taken with care to avoid toxicity.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

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

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

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

Sources
(1) Evaluation of immunomodulatory effect of three herbal plants growing in Egypt by Ghonime M1, Eldomany R, Abdelaziz A, Soliman H.(PubMed)
(2) [The immunomodulating activity of the heteropolysaccharides from German chamomile(Matricaria chamomilla) during air and immersion cooling].[Article in Russian] by Uteshev BS1, Laskova IL, Afanas'ev VA.(PubMed)

Alternative Therapy, Yoga, the Best therapeutic Treatment of Obese Control

Yoga, one of the technique used in Ayurvedic Medicine for encouraging self healing through expression of internal and external well being, may have processed a potential efficacy for obesity controlling, the study filed in PubMed suggested.

Yoga, the accident technique practice for harmonized external and internal body well being, through breath control, meditation, bodily movement and gesture..... has been well known for people in Western world and some parts in Asia due to health benefits reported by various respectable institutes' research and supported by health advocates.

Obesity is a medical condition of excess body fat accumulated overtime, overweight is a condition of excess body weight relatively to the height, a BMI of over 30 is an indication of obesity.

According to the Patanjali Yogpeeth, obese patients participated in a 6 days toga lesson showed a significant decreased the BMI, the fat-free mass and total cholesterol.

In a total of 47 persons assessed on the first and last day of a yoga and diet change program, with 6 days of the intervention between assessments, yoga combination with diet showed a decrease in BMI (1.6 percent), waist and hip circumferences, fat-free mass, total cholesterol (7.7 percent decrease), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (8.7 percent decrease), fasting serum leptin levels (44.2 percent decrease) and an increase in postural stability and hand grip strength (p<0.05, all comparisons).

The study also indicated that intensive yoga program with a change in diet may pose certain risks but benefits are found substantially out weight the concerns through better postural stability, grip strength, reduced waist and hip circumferences and a decrease in serum leptin levels as well as enhancing obese's determination to yoga learning and participation.

In deed, the nonrandomized, single-arm interventional study conducted from August 2012 to March 2015 at Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India insisted that patients who engaged in yoga exercise of all kinds not only improved quality of life and health after short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention but also exhibited physical, psychological well being in both male and female subgroups.

These benefits are also extended to decreased significantly body weight, BMI, total body fat, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and fasting glucose in obese participants.

Furthermore, in a randomized controlled trial with parallel groups (Yoga and Control groups) on 80 male obese with Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 to 35 kg/cm2 divided into two equal groups in which 72 subjects (yoga n = 37 and control n=35) completed the trial, yoga group showed a impressive improvement in anthropometric and psychological parameters such as waist, percentage body fat, PSS in the final outcome in compared control after 14 weeks of yoga training with additional yoga practice for the next 3 months.

Taking altogether, obese patients participated in yoga lessons showed a significant change in obese control through physical and mental well being expression of that may lead to weight loss and reduced complications of obesity.

For More information of yoga lessons tailor to a complete well being for women, please visit: YOGA BURN

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

Sources
(1) Short term health impact of a yoga and diet change program on obesity by Telles S1, Naveen VK, Balkrishna A, Kumar S.(PubMed)
(2) Effect of a Short-Term Yoga-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight and Obese Subjects by Yadav R1, Yadav RK1, Pandey RM2, Kochar KP1.(PubMed)
(3) Yoga Practice for Reducing the Male Obesity and Weight Related Psychological Difficulties-A Randomized Controlled Trial by Rshikesan PB1, Subramanya P2, Nidhi R3.(PubMed)

Monday 14 August 2017

Herbal Therapy:, Andrographis aniculata, The Best Whole Herb Medicine for Relieving Symptoms and Treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, 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 Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Whole food(herbal medicine) used as medical treatment, linking health benefits in prevention, management and treatment of diseases has induced much interests in today renowned scientists.
But many researchers have raised question of herbal quality, because geographic differences, time of grown and harvest, etc. may effect their's potency. I do believe, these questions can only be answered by experience herbalists.
Andrographis paniculata may be one of the best herb for prevention and treatment of Andrographis aniculata upper respiratory tract infection caused by spreading from person to person in respiratory droplets through sneezing or coughing of individual infected with the virus, a renowned institute study suggested.

Upper respiratory tract infections are the infection of the airway above the glottis or vocal cords, including the nose, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis media, etc,.

Andrographis paniculata is also known as Andrographis is a herbaceous plant, genus Andrographis, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka, used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic in treating the common cold, flu, upper respiratory infections, infectious diseases, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, pneumonia,....

According to the joint study lead by the ilpakorn University in the review of the existence data of the literature and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Andrographis paniculata exerted a strong implication n the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection by measuring the reduction in symptom severity scores.

In a total of 433 patients reported in three trials included in the statistical analysis, patient treated with combination of Andrographis aniculata, Acanthopanax senticosus and Andrographis aniculata alone exhibited a significant improvement of 2.13 points and 10.85 points on the symptom severity score in compared placebo.

Dr. Poolsup N, the lead author said, "A. paniculata extract alone or in combination with A. senticosus extract may be more effective than placebo and may be an appropriate alternative treatment of uncomplicated acute upper respiratory tract infection".

Furthermore, in the review to prevent the over-prescription of antibiotics and absence from work due to acute upper respiratory tract infection, A. paniculata is found to be more superior to placebo in alleviating the subjective symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection.
The study also indicated that all review trials scored at least three, out of a maximum of five, for methodological quality on the Jadad scale.

More importantly, the efficacy of A. paniculata in relieving symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection only induced generally mild and infrequent adverse effects.

Further in supporting the Andrographis aniculata's anti upper respiratory tract infection property, a total of 223 patients of both sexes randomized in two groups which received either KalmCold (200 mg/day) or placebo in a double blind manner showed a promising result of A. paniculata in ameliorating symptoms of cough, expectoration, nasal discharge, headache, fever, sore throat, earache, malaise/fatigue and sleep disturbance from day 1 to day 3 of treatment in comparison to placebo group.

Additionally, The overall efficacy of extract of Andrographis paniculata was found to be 2.1 times (52.7%) higher than placebo.

Taking together, there is no doubt that Andrographis aniculata has a potency used as therapeutic agent for relieving symptoms and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection but intake of large doses and long term intake should be taken with care.

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

Sources
(1) Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upperrespiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials by Poolsup N1, Suthisisang C, Prathanturarug S, Asawamekin A, Chanchareon U.(PubMed)
(2) Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy by Coon JT1, Ernst E.(PubMed)
(3) A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis paniculata (KalmCold) in patients with uncomplicated upperrespiratory tract infection by Saxena RC1, Singh R, Kumar P, Yadav SC, Negi MP, Saxena VS, Joshua AJ, Vijayabalaji V, Goudar KS, Venkateshwarlu K, Amit A.(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy: Chaste Tree Berry Normalizes Hormones in women Menstrual Cycle by Increased Levels of Progesterone

Chaste tree berry is a species of Vitex agnus-castus, genus Vitex, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, used in herbal medicine for thousands of year as anaphrodisiac herb and considered as Queen herb in treating menstrual problems and discomforts.

Progesterone is a sex hormone with various mechanisms, including women menstrual cycle, pregnancy, embryogenesis......

According to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology-University, Vitex tmay have a function similar to the conventional medicine, fluoxetine, in stimulated production of increasing mid-luteal progesterone and 17β-oestradiol levels in women menstrual cycle.

In the review of data bases of 8 literature collection, Vitex extracts showed a significant effect in women's health. In the aspect of premenstrual syndrome, the extract improve psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety,... through progesterone regulation.

Dr. Deborah Brauser, author of the article of "Progesterone, Anxiety Affect Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder" said, "As a gynecologist, I believe PMDD is driven by the female sex hormone progesterone," said Dr. Sundström Poromaa, adding that there is very little progesterone during the follicular phase".

Flavonoid glycosides, orientin and apigenin 3, 8-di-C-glycosides in addition to iridoid compound, aucubin isolated from the ethanolic extract of Vitex agnus-castus fruits, also displayed an increased production of progesterone hormone by observation of plasma progesterone of women with 0.6 and 1.2 g kg(-1) per body weight (b.w.) doses.

The study also addressed the hormone progesterone may have directed effect in increased uterine weight of ovariectomized rats in comparable to that of control group.

Dr. Jillian Stansbury, the researcher of the women herbs for men said, "Consumption of Vitex fruits by female chimpanzees as part of their natural diets has been found to dramatically increase progesterone levels in the urine, indicating an overall progesteronic effect.34 One hypothesis is that reduced LH allows follicle-stimulating hormone to dominate and can lead to decreased estrogen and testosterone and a relative increase in progesterone".

Furthermore, the contribution of the herb in improved concentration of progesterone in the luteal phase, may increased the chance of pregnancy, as the total of 37 women with oligomenorrhea and 30 women with amenorrhea received 50 drops of Phyto Hypophyson L, a Vitex agnus castus-containing homeopathic preparation or placebo 3 times a day over 3 months or 3 cycles report.

Promisingly, intake of the Vitex agnus castus-containing homeopathic preparation expressed a spontaneous menstruation, improved concentration of progesterone in the luteal phase, shortening of the cycle, earlier ovulation, and pregnancy in 38 out of 67 women.

Taking together, chemical constituents found in Chaste tree berry expressed a strong activity in increased chance of pregnancy and normalized hormone aspects in women menstrual cycle with progesterone and other hormones regulation.

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

Sources
(1) Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials by van Die MD1, Burger HG, Teede HJ, Bone KM.(PubMed)
(2) Progesterone, Anxiety Affect Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder by Deborah Brauser(Medscape)
(3) Gynecological efficacy and chemical investigation of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruitsgrowing in Egypt by Ibrahim NA1, Shalaby AS, Farag RS, Elbaroty GS, Nofal SM, Hassan EM.(PubMed)
(4) WOMEN’S HERBS” FOR MEN By Editor1 Posted November 8, 2010
In Botanical Medicine, Endocrinology, Fertility, Men's Health, Nature Cure, Oncology, Dr Jillian Stansbury
(4) [The efficacy of the complex medication Phyto-Hypophyson L in female, hormone-related sterility. A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical double-blind study].[Article in German]by Bergmann J1, Luft B, Boehmann S, Runnebaum B, Gerhard I.(PubMed)