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

Monday 28 October 2019

Herbal Ashwagandha Inhibits Glioma In Vivo

By Kyle J. Norton

A glioma is a type of tumor that starts in the glial cells of the brain or the spine.

Glioma cells can be classified into

* Astrocytomas is a type of brain cancer originated in a particular kind of glial cells, star-shaped brain cells in the cerebrum called astrocytes.

* Ependymomas, is a type of cancer that grows in your brain or any part of the spine, including your neck and upper and lower back.

* Oligodendrogliomas are a type of glioma that starts in glial cells called oligodendrocytes.

Primary glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive cancers that begins within the brain. Cancer may arise as a Grade IV tumor with no evidence.

According to the statistic, the median survival time of primary glioblastoma is approximately 3 months without medical treatment. Glioblastomas represent about 15% of all primary brain tumors.

In the US, the median age of glioblastoma diagnosed is 64 years and the incidence of the disease onset is 1.6 times higher in males compared to females.

Furthermore, the condition is 2 times higher in Caucasians compared to Africans and Afro-Americans.

Because of the rapid growth, patients diagnosed with primary glioblastoma experience sudden brain swelling and increased brain pressure, leading to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and severe headaches and localized symptoms depending on the location of the tumor.

Conventionally, radiation and chemotherapy are the most common forms of treatment for patients with glioblastoma particularly, in a tumor that cannot be removed with surgery.

The causes of glioblastoma are not identified. However, the increased in age and genetic preposition are the 2 most common risk factors found in patients with the disease.

Ashwagandha also is known as Withania somnifera is a nightshade plant in the genus of Withania, belonging to the family Solanaceae, native to the dry parts of India, North Africa, Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

The herbal medicine has been considered as Indian ginseng and used in Ayurvedic medicine over 3000 years to treat tumors and tubercular glands, carbuncles, memory loss, and ulcers and considered as anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging herbal medicine.

On finding a potent compound for inhibition of brain tumor researchers examined the combined active ingredients of Chinese (Helicteres angustifolia) and Indian (Withaniasomnifera) ginsengs effects on glial differentiation potentials.

Based on the tested analysis, the novel combination of Cuc and Wi-N, CucWi-N, showed a significant activity to protect the neurons cells against oxidative stress-induced a decrease in DNA damage.

In rat glioblastoma cells, CucWi-N exerted the glial differentiation potential and induced differentiation phenotype.

Proteins associated with the neuron growth and development and a key role in glial differentiation. such as GAP43, MAP2, and GFAP were exhibited by the injection of the combination.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "These data demonstrate anti-stress and glial differentiation potential of CucWi-N (a novel combination of Cuc and Wi-N) that could be recruited in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical avenues and hence warrant further evaluation and mechanistic studies.".

Taken altogether, Ashwagandha may be considered a functional herb that reduces the risk of brain tumors, pending to the result of larger 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.

Sources
(1) Anti-Stress and Glial Differentiation Effects of a Novel Combination of Cucurbitacin B and Withanone (CucWi-N): Experimental Evidence by Garg S1,2, Kaul SC1, Wadhwa R. (PubMed)

Sunday 27 October 2019

Herbal Turmeric Protects the Neurons Integrity Against Neurodegneration

By Kyle J. Norton

Scientists may have found a bioactive ingredient for the prevention and treatment of neurodegeneration with no side effects, according to studies.

Neurodegeneration is a condition associated with the gradual loss of neuron function caused by reduced quality and death of the neurons.

Neuroprotection is a process in which medicines or substances are used, including herbal remedy to protect the brain cell integrity against the damage and gradual loss of quality and quantity.

Most cases of neurodegenerative diseases are found in the elderly, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease.

According to the statistics, Alzheimers' disease and Parkinson's disease are the most common types of neurodegenerative disease that affect millions of people worldwide.

In the US, approximately, over five million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, and at least 500,000 Americans living with Parkinson's disease.

Most common risk factor associated with the onset of the neurodegenerative disease is aging. The rise of neurodegenerative disease in the US was probably associated with population-wide health improvements in the increased lifespan, along with a larger generation of aging Americans.

Conventionally, there is no cure for the neurodegenerative disease.

The aim of the treatment is to relieve some of the physical or mental symptoms and slowdown the progression of the disease accompanied by improving the quality of life of the patients and caregivers.

Turmeric is a perennial plant in the genus Curcuma, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to tropical South Asia.

In the urgency to find a potential ingredient for the treatment of neurodegeneration found a high percentage in elderly, researchers investigated the protective effects of a natural dietary supplement (NDS), containing Curcuma longa, silymarin, guggul, chlorogenic acid, and inulin, on dysmetabolism and neurodegeneration in an animal model.

The experiment included mice induced neurodegeneration by high-fat diet (HFD).

NDS treatment mice showed significant prevention of against brain lipid accumulation and central insulin resistance by decreasing the cholesterol concentration and increasing in the insulin receptor expression and insulin signaling activation.

Furthermore, NDS also protected the brain cell by protecting the function of enzymes FACL-4 (Acyl-CoA synthetase 4), CerS-1, CerS-4 (Ceramides) whose expression were decreased due to high-fat diet against the onset of neurodegeneration.

Compared to untreated mice, NDS-treated HFD mice attenuated the levels of RNS, ROS, and lipid peroxidation in the brain.

In other words, NDS prevent the accumulation of lipid peroxidation in the neurons, the action can lead to cell death gradually.

Also, in the brain, NDS inhibited the overexpression of proteins associated with proinfallamtroy cytokine and free radicals caused by a high-fat diet in the induction of cell death, compared to untreated mice.

Additionally different of the results, researchers also found that a lower number of apoptotic nuclei was found in cortical sections of NDS-treated HFD mice, compared to untreated mice.

Dr. the lead scientist, after taking into account co and confounders wrote, "The present data indicate that NDS exerts neuroprotective effects in HFD mice by reducing brain fat accumulation, oxidative stress and inflammation and improving brain insulin resistance".

Taken altogether, turmeric used alone or combined with other herbal medicines may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of neurodegeneration, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

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

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

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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) Recent progress on curcumin-based therapeutics: a patent review (2012-2016). Part II: curcumin derivatives in cancer and neurodegeneration by Di Martino RMC1,2, Bisi A1, Rampa A1, Gobbi S1, Belluti F. (PubMed)
(2) A Natural Dietary Supplement with a Combination of Nutrients Prevents Neurodegeneration Induced by a High Fat Diet in Mice by Nuzzo D1, Amato A2, Picone P3, Terzo S4, Galizzi G5, Bonina FP6, Mulè F7, Di Carlo M. (PubMed)

Beet and Carrot Protect the Liver Against Fatty Liver diseases

By Kyle J. Norton

A fatty liver is a liver condition associated with the accumulation of excess fat in the liver.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is the early stage of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver, other than excessive use of alcohol.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a type of inflammatory non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by excessive fat accumulated in the liver.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is asymptomatic until the condition is developed into cirrhosis, the condition that causes advanced liver scars and reduced the performance of the liver.

In other words, if more than 5% – 10% percent of your liver’s weight is fat, you have a fatty liver (steatosis).

According to the statistics, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of liver disease affecting 100 million people in the US. Out of that number, approximately 20% of people have NASH.

Medical conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes are some of the metabolic risk factors that have been found to induce the development of NASH.

As of today, there is no effective treatment of NASH. Depending on the condition people with overweight or obese are recommended to lose weight. The aim of medical treatment is to reduce the symptoms and delay the progression of the condition and improve the quality of life.

Out of many prevalent factors that cause the onset of NASH, some researchers suggested that the promotion of high-fat diet over the past few decades induced high percentage of the overweight and obese population may be the major culprit associated with the rise of NASH.

Dr. Jensen VS, the lead scientist wrote, "Hepatic dysfunction and inflammation was confirmed in HFD-fed rats by elevated levels of hepatic MCP-1 (p < 0.0001), TNF-alpha (p < 0.001) and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.0001), and in NASH-fed rats by elevated levels of hepatic MCP-1 (p < 0.01), increased hepatic macrophage infiltration (p < 0.001), and higher plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.0001) aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05), haptoglobin (p < 0.001) and TIMP-1 (p < 0.01) compared to Control".

And, " dietary fat and cholesterol are the primary drivers of NAFLD development and progression in rats, while fructose mostly exerts its effect on the circulating lipid pool".

Betaxanthins are phytochemicals in the class of red and yellow indole-derived pigments, belonging to the group of Betalains, found abundantly in beets, Sicilian prickly pear, etc.

On finding a potent ingredient for the treatment of liver disease, researchers examined the protecting effects of bioactive agents of the lyophilized table beet and carrot powder on fatty liver.

The shorten term study included male Wistar rats fed with chow with or without high fat (2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, 20% sunflower oil) and treated with 0.1 or 1 g/bwkg/day natural product for ten days parallel with the feedings.

Based on the tested analysis, comapred to other feedings, the higher dose of the natural product better decreased the induced free radical reactions, cyclooxygenase-2, and proteins associated with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in normal and fatty liver tissues.

More precisely, the natural treatment of beet and carrot powder inhibited the liver oxidative stress by inhibiting the inflammatory expression without causing significant changes in all global antioxidant parameters.

However, the antioxidant activity of mobilized methyl group concentrations associated with liver stress also increased by in fatty liver tissues.

Based on the evidence, researchers said, "beet and carrot proved to be a "functional food" in rats with alimentary fat-induced fatty liver. It cannot be ruled out that this beneficial effect may have clinical relevance".

Taken altogether, beet and carrot may be considered functional remedies for the prevention of fatty liver disease, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Sources
(1) [Experimental food-induced fatty liver and its adjuvant therapy with natural bioactive substances].
[Article in Hungarian] by Hegedüs V1, Gerö D, Mihály Z, Szijártó A, Zelles T, Sárdi E. (PubMed)

Saturday 26 October 2019

Phytochemical Lycopene Inhibits the Risk of HIV Infection

By Kyle J. Norton

Infection is a condition caused the invasion of stimuli and micro pathogens, including the viral infection.

A viral infection is a disease caused by the successful entering and multiplying of a virus in the body.

Anti-viral effects is an act in which certain substances are used to cause the destruction of a virus.

In the acute phase of viral infection, depending on the types of virus, the viruses after entering the body start to attack the specific host cells.

The white blood cells in the systematic immune response in the acute phase of infection stimulate the production of the proinflammatory cytokines to the site of infection with an aim to protect our body by killing off the invaders.

The cold and flu virus will attack the cells in the respiratory system and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, attacks the white blood cells of the immune system,

The viral infection has been known to carry over some different stage, after successfully attaching to the host cell, the virus to release its mRNA into the host cell, leading to the recruit of the host cell's enzymes to accelerate the viral multiplying, then breaking free from the host cell to start the cycle all over again.

The battle between the immune white blood cell and viral invaders in most cases an in the flavor of the side of the immune system, the invaders are killed and the infection is healed.

However, if the immune system can not kill off the invaders with 3 - 8 weeks, it then will adapt to the change, leading to chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases.

HIV infection left untreated will weaken the host immune system, leading to AIDs, a major cause of life-threatening infections and disease.

According to the statistic from the US government, approximately 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV today. About 15 percent of them (1 in 7) are unaware they are infected. In approximately38,700 Americans were newly infected with HIV.

Lycopene is a phytochemical found in tomato in the class of carotenoid, a natural pigment with no vitamin A activity found abundantly in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons, and papayas.

Tomatoes provide about 80% of the lycopene in the world diet. In plants, lycopene protects the host against excessive photodamage and perform various functions in photosynthesis.

On finding a potential compound for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (HIV), researchers examined the serum antioxidant levels in 175 HIV-positive and 210 HIV-negative injecting drug users (IDUs) in Baltimore, Maryland.

According to the results of data collection of 30 HIV-positive IDUs who were receiving antiretroviral therapies (ART), mean serum levels of lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin were significantly lower in HIV-positive IDUs than HIV-negative IDUs.

In other words, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin has an inversely associated with the risk of HIV injecting drug users (IDUs).

Furthermore, serum alpha-tocopherol levels were significantly higher in HIV-positive IDUs than HIV-negative IDUs (medians = 744 microg/dl and 718 microg/dl, respectively; p = 04).

Levels of antioxidant levels by ART regimen are lower among HIV-positive study subjects, comapred to the HIV-negative group.

After adjusting to other factors such as injecting drug use, dietary intake, supplement intake, gender, and alcohol intake, levels of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin significant overall differences by ART regimen.

The protease inhibitor (PI) treatment group showed significant levels of three antioxidants comapred to other three ART groups combined.

In other words, the protease inhibitor (PI) blocked the HIV replication for the production of infectious viral particles by exerting a significant antioxidant effect against oxidative stress levels in HIV-positive IDUs.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "circulating levels of lycopene, a biomarker of tomato-rich food, may play a role in early stages of atherogenesis and may have clinical and public health relevance".

Taken altogether, lycopene found in tomato combined with the conventional medicine may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection, pending on 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.

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) The potential role of lycopene for human health by Gerster H. (PubMed)
(2) Improved antioxidant status among HIV-infected injecting drug users on potent antiretroviral therapy by Tang AM1, Smit E, Semba RD, Shah N, Lyles CM, Li D, Vlahov D. (PubMed)

Turmeric Promotes Liver Function Against Hepatic (Liver) Stress

By Kyle J. Norton

The liver is the largest internal organ which not only filters the blood from the digestive system before passing them to other parts of the body but also plays a critical role in the production cholesterol, a waxy substance which aids digestion, builds cell membranes and produces vitamin D and steroid hormones.

Hepatic stress is a condition in which the function of the liver is partly reduced. Hepatic stress can be observed by the levels of liver stress-makers.

Liver function tests (LFTs or LFs) are used to measure the levels of liver transaminases aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in patients with liver injury, particularly, in a patient with some degree of intact liver function.

Abnormal high levels of transaminases aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) are early indications of liver damage or injury.

Oxidative stress in the liver caused by a toxic substance such as an overdose of the supplement has been found to constitute most cases of acute liver damage.

Lauren Cooper, the author in the examine the toxic effects of an overdose of green-tea extract and bodybuilding pills wrote, "many herbal remedies and dietary supplements can also harm the liver, including some that you can easily buy online or over-the-counter in drug or health food stores".

And, "Researchers looked at cases of liver damage reported to the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network, a program funded by the National Institutes of Health. Roughly 700 cases of liver damage were reported to the program during the period of the study; 130 of those cases were linked to dietary supplements".

The results strongly suggested although green tea extract is considered a functional supplement for the treatment of various diseases, overdose and abusive use of such supplement also have a negative impact on human health, particularly in the liver health.

Turmeric is a perennial plant in the genus Curcuma, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to tropical South Asia.

The herb has been used in traditional medicine as anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, colorant, antiseptic, wound healing agent, and to treat flatulence, bloating, and appetite loss, ulcers, eczema, inflammations, etc.

With an aim to find a potential compound for the improvement of liver functioning, researchers examined the effect of Curcuma longa L. (CLL) rhizome on hepatic dysfunction.

On acute carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver stress rats, researchers compared the activity of CLL extract administered once a day for 3 days at three dose levels (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day) and curcumin administered once a day at the 200 mg/kg/day.

Before treatment, CCl4 rats showed a significant induced the increased serum AST and ALT levels by 2.1- and 1.2-fold, respectively, compared with the control.

CLL- and curcumin-treated rats inhibited the levels of AST but not ALT elevation induced by CCl4.

Furthermore, according to the tested assays, the peroxidation of membrane lipids in the liver was significantly prevented by CLL (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day) on liver tissues.

Moreover, both CLL extract and curcumin exhibited significant protection against liver injury by improving the levels of hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione against free radicals expression in the CCl4 treated rats.

More precisely, both CLL extract and curcumin protected the liver cells against the onset of liver cellular stress through reducing the liver damage markers and inhibiting the liver oxidative stress via increased production of liver antioxidant enzymes.

Dr. Lee GH, the lead scientist said, "Our data suggested that CLL extract and curcumin protect the liver from acute CCl4-induced injury in a rodent model by suppressing hepatic oxidative stress. Therefore, CLL extract and curcumin are potential therapeutic antioxidant agents against acute hepatotoxicity".

Taken altogether, turmeric processed abundantly bioactive compound curcumin may be considered supplements for the improvement of liver functioning against liver damage, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

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

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) Curcumin and Curcuma longa L. extract ameliorates lipid accumulation through the regulation of the endoplasmic reticulum redox and ER stress by Lee HY1, Kim SW2, Lee GH1, Choi MK1, Chung HW1, Lee YC3, Kim HR4, Kwon HJ5, Chae HJ. (PubMed)
(2) Protective effect of Curcuma longa L. extracts on CCl4-induced acute hepatic stress by Lee GH1, Lee HY1, Choi MK1, Chung HW1, Kim SW2,3, Chae HJ. (PubMed)
(3) Liver Damage From Supplements Is on the Rise. Green-tea extract and bodybuilding pills pose a particular risk, study finds By Lauren Cooper. (CR)

Friday 25 October 2019

Healthy Food Onion Processes Anti Asthmatic Activity

By Kyle J. Norton

Respiratory disease is a class of medical conditions that affect the breathing organ and tissues. Most common respiratory diseases are inflammatory lung disease, obstructive lung diseases, restrictive lung diseases, and respiratory tract infections.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the airway of the lung with recurring symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.

The medical condition affects people of all ages, and mostly starts during childhood.

In the US, approximately, 25 million people are living with asthma, including 7 million children.

Most common risk factors associated with the onset of asthma, according to epidemiological studies are

* Wheezing rhinovirus illnesses
Virus-induced wheezing episodes in infancy often precede the development of asthma.

*Airflow obstruction
Asthma and family history of allergic rhinitis are important risk factors associated with airflow. according to the Department of Pediatrics, Lerdsin General Hospitalobstruction.

* Gender
If you are women, you are at increased risk to develop asthma. Asthma, after childhood, is more severe in females than in males and is under-diagnosed and under-treated in female adolescents.

* Stress
Stress, whether at the individual (i.e. epigenetics, perceived stress), family (i.e. prenatal maternal stress, early-life exposure, or intimate partner violence) or community (i.e. neighborhood violence; neighborhood disadvantage) level, influence asthma and asthma morbidity.

* Genes
GSTP1, INSIG2, and IL4Ra may influence the lifetime asthma susceptibility through gene-gene interactions in schoolchildren.

* Airway inflammation and hyperreactivity
People with airway hyperreactivity are at increased risk to develop asthma as a result of the immune system over response to allergens.

5. Atopy and viral infection
Atopy – such as eczema, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and viral infection are associated with a higher risk of asthma development.

* Family history
Family history of asthma in one or more first-degree relatives was consistently identified as a risk factor for asthma.

* Smoke during Pregnancy
Smoking and severe asthma exacerbations in pregnancy are risk factors for low birth weight babies.
During pregnancy, asthma exacerbations are more common and more severe in current smokers than never smokers. The risk of the effects of maternal asthma on the fetus may be greater among smokers.

* Low birth weight
In the 1988 national birth cohort, an estimated 4000 excess asthma cases were attributable to birth weight less than 2500 g.

The onion is a plant in the genus Allium, belonging to the family Alliaceae, a close relation of garlic. It is often called the "king of vegetables" because of its pungent taste and found in a large number of recipes and preparations spanning almost the totality of the world's cultures.

Depending on the variety, an onion can be sharp, spicy, tangy, pungent, mild or sweet.

On finding a potential compound for the treatment of asthma researchers investigated the effect of Allium cepa L. extract (AcE) and its quercetin (Qt) on cytokine and on smooth muscle contraction associated with asthma in vitro and vivo.

According to the tested analysis,

* In vitro, AcE 10, 100 or 1000 μg/ml or Qt 35, 7.5, 15 μg/ml, showed a significant effect in inhibition of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

* With the same concentrations, AcE also expressed the ability to relax tracheal smooth muscle from A/J mice.

* Futhermore, with the concentrations of 100, 1000 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg Qt in Blomia tropicalis (BT)-sensitized A/J mice treated, AcE also decreased the total number of cells of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in lungs, the markers found in patients with asthma.

Based on the results, researchers wrote, "AcE and Qt have potential as antiasthmatic drugs, as they possess both immunomodulatory and bronchodilatory properties".

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

Sources
(1) Potential therapeutic effect of Allium cepa L. and quercetin in a murine model of Blomia tropicalis induced asthma by Oliveira TT1, Campos KM2, Cerqueira-Lima AT3, Cana Brasil Carneiro T4, da Silva Velozo E5, Ribeiro Melo IC6, Figueiredo EA7, de Jesus Oliveira E8, de Vasconcelos DF9, Pontes-de-Carvalho LC10, Alcântara-Neves NM11, Figueiredo CA. (PubMed)
(2) Onions, myths, beliefs, fashion and reality in asthma by Martínez-Gimeno A. (PubMed)
(3)
Asthma (Respiratory Disease) – The Risk factors by Kyle J. Norton

Cranberry Protects Your Gum Against Periodontitis

By Kyle J. Norton

Periodontitis is a serious case of gingivitis associated with gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth as a result of long-term poor oral hygiene

Periodontitis is preventable if the progression of gingivitis stages is stopped

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of periodontal disease caused by inflammation of the gingiva, leading to symptoms of irritation, redness, and swelling of the gum that lines the base of the teeth.

Gingivitis dental plaques formed around the base of the teeth are sticky biofilm of bacteria associated with the interaction of the food intake and bacteria in the mouth. Over time, if untreated, the condition can lead to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

At this early stage, the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. The problems can be reversed by more frequent and proper brushing and flossing.

Epidemiologically, risk factors induce the onset of gingivitis are smoking or chewing tobacco. diabetes and long-term use of certain medication including oral contraceptives, steroids, anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers.

Some people under treatment of chemotherapy may also experience symptoms of gingivitis.

The Colgate Professional in the examined the symptoms advised that if you have experienced some of the symptoms that do not heal themselves in a short time, such as puffy or swollen, or tender, bleeding during brushing or flossing,... and constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, you may have gingivitis.

Cranberry is an evergreen dwarf shrub, genus Vaccinium, belongings to the family Ericaceae, native to Northern America and Southern Asia. Because of its health benefits, cranberry has been cultivated in some parts of the world for commercial profit and used in traditional and herbal medicine to treat wounds, urinary disorders, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, and liver problems.

On finding a potential compound for the treatment of periodontitis, researchers examined the effect of cranberry and rice extracts as a potent gingipain inhibitor.

Based on the tested analysis, cranberry and rice extracts interfere with gingipain activity that causes the slow down the progression of adult periodontitis.

Furthermore, the extracts prevented the growth and biofilm formation of periodontal pathogens induced the onset of periodontitis.

Moreover, the extracts also inhibited a broad spectrum of host proteases in the induction of undesirable side effects

As of today, the ideal gingipain inhibitor has yet to be discovered, however, cranberry and rice extracts may be a promising gingipain inhibitor comapred to gingipain N-terminal pro domains, synthetic compounds, antibiotics, antiseptics, antibodies, and bacteria which may induce undesirable side effects

The results strongly suggested that cranberry promotes oral health by inhibiting the onset and progression of periodontitis through its anti-bacterial activity

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

Sources

periodontitis
(1) Strategies for the inhibition of gingipains for the potential treatment of periodontitis and associated systemic diseases by Olsen I1, Potempa J. (PubMed)