Ginger could relief pain for arthritis

LONDON, Nov. 20, WENN -- Ginger could be an effective treatment for arthritis, a study has shown. A pill containing extracts of the root spice has proved to be as effective as conventional painkillers in a clinical trial. Rheumatologist Professor Ray Altman at the University of Miami Medical School, who led the study, believes the highly-concentrated supplement could help to reduce the pain suffered by two out of three people with arthritis. He tested the supplement on 250 people with osteoarthritis, the most common form of the condition. Each was suffering from moderate to severe pain. Over a six week period, some were given a 255 milligram dose of the dietary supplement twice a day. The rest were given a placebo. Two-thirds of those given the ginger pills reported relief from pain -- significantly more than those taking the placebo. The ginger group also reported bigger improvements in their levels of pain.

Research Confirms Success of Herb For Diabetes Cntrol

Research Confirms Success Of Herb For Diabetes Control

CHICAGO, Nov. 15, Internet Wire -- In the first test of its kind in the US, Diabetes In Control.com has announced positive results of a controlled clinical trial on diabetics using Beta Fast® GXR® Glucose Balance, an extended release herbal dietary supplement. The trial investigated the glucose lowering effects by supplementing the diet with Beta Fast, thereby reducing HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin), a key measurement in diabetes management representing a 90-day average of blood sugar readings. Of 65 patients tested over the 90-day trial, Beta Fast reduced mean fasting glucose levels by 11 percent. Average post meal glucose levels showed a decline of 13 percent and HbA1c's dropped 6.8 percent (.6 point decline). In a subset of patients with the poorest control, results were more substantial. Pre-meal readings averaged an 18 percent decline, with post meal levels reduced by 28 percent. Corresponding HbA1c's declined 10 percent (1.1 actual points). Improved glucose control with Beta Fast enabled 16 percent of the participants to decrease their prescription medication usage. (Complete study available online www.alternativediabetes.com/html/incontrol.shtml With over 18,000 members, Diabetes In Control.com is one of the nation's largest organizations of diabetes health professionals. Members include diabetes educators, pharmacists, nurses, physicians and dieticians. The firm develops clinical protocols for testing diabetes related products, subsequently offering them for free to their members' patients. Members then enroll their patients in the studies, promoting patient involvement and as a result, improved diabetes care. The American Diabetes Association estimates that this year alone over 180,000 people will die from diabetes and over 800,000 new cases will be diagnosed. A chronic disease without a cure, diabetes is the nation's seventh leading cause of death. If not controlled daily by insulin injections or oral medications, diabetes can lead to limb amputations, impotence, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease and blindness. Informulab, maker of Beta Fast, markets the product to assist in the maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels in diabetics. The product is the subject of two other clinical trials now underway at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Sold online at www.informulab.com and in over 3000 pharmacies nationwide, Beta Fast helps the body by balancing sugar levels, reducing sweetness cravings, and promoting healthy pancreatic function. Informulab is owned by Wen-Cin Marketing, Inc., publisher of www.alternativediabetes.com, a 1500 page web resource on complementary and alternative therapies in diabetes care.

Celery - helps remedy High Blood presure

Celery
Apium graveolens
In many cultures, celery is used as a traditional remedy for high blood pressure. Until recently, modern doctors has recommended against using it this way, citing the high sodium level. Studies show, however, that celery, despite it sodium content, contains a chemical that reduces the blood pressure in laboratory animals. (It also lowered the animals’ cholesterol levels.) Two or four ribs of celery a day would be the human equivalent to the dosage the laboratory animals received. Celery has a lot of sodium for a vegetable, but the amount it contains is still quite low – only about 32 mil a stalk – as compared with other foods. Celery is also a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and postassium. A single stalk has only about 20 calories..
Celery is a mild diuretic that can be helpful for relieving mild water retention and breast tenderness from premenstrual stress (PMS) symptoms. Celery also contains psoralens, compounds that may help relieve psoriasis symptoms.

Flaxseed might benefit cancer treatment: study

Flaxseed and ginseng are the latest of nature's weapons added to the arsenal in the fight against cancer, with new studies suggesting that both can be effective in helping the treatment of certain forms of cancer. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore evaluated 161 men who were due to undergo prostate cancer surgery. Half of the participants were given flaxseed in their diets as a supplement, consuming 30g of flaxseed daily for a month. The other half of the participants were put on a lowfat diet. The study results showed that flaxseed had the effect of slowing down the growth rate of a cancerous tumour. Post-surgery, the researchers examined the tumours and found that the cancer cells in the group of men given flaxseed as a supplement grew about 30 to 40 per cent slower compared to men who were on a low-fat diet. According to Ms Magdalin Cheong, chief dietitian and senior manager of Dietetics and Food Services at Changi General Hospital, flaxseed is beneficial because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high in fibre, especially lignan, a type of fibre which helps prevent hormone-related cancers. Not a common staple in most Asian diets, Ms Cheong also suggests getting these nutrients from flaxseed replacements. "Many other foods contain omega-3 fatty acids. So, it's not necessary to eat only flaxseeds," she said, adding that good substitutes for flaxseed include salmon, mackerel and sardines which are also omega-3 rich foods and fruits and vegetables, which are high in fibre. In another study on the effects of ginseng conducted by the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, researchers gave the herb to patients who suffered from different cancers. Patients were given 1,000mg and 2,000mg doses of powdered ginseng capsules a day. The result? 25 per cent of patients who were on the supplement reported an improvement in the cancer symptoms they experienced. Ms Cheong said: "Ginseng is a herb derived from dried root and is associated with alleviating fatigue in cancer patients. It is described as an adaptogen - a drug that increases resistance to infection or stress. Ginseng is also commonly used as a tonic for convalescence or general exhaustion." However, she also cautioned that patients with certain conditions such as hypertension and hypoglycaemia or those who are on steroid therapy should avoid taking the herb. - TODAY/ym

Menopause may be to blame for weight gain in older women

CHICAGO : As if the hot flashes and insomnia of menopause weren't bad enough, now comes word that menopause can make you fat. The declining estrogen levels associated with "the change" can interfere with metabolic processes leading to weight gain, US researchers said on Monday, confirming what many women already knew. The findings seem to support a link between the female sex hormone estrogen and regulation of obesity, especially the dangerous accumulation of abdominal fat linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer, the study's authors said. "The accumulation of abdominal fat puts both men and women at heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and insulin resistance," said Deborah Clegg, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Centre in Ohio. "Women are protected from these negative consequences as long as they carry their weight in their hips and saddlebags. But when they go through menopause and the body fat shifts to the abdomen, they have to start battling all of these medical complications," she added. In experiments on rats, Clegg showed that when they cut off the estrogen supply to a part of the brain that is central to energy regulation, the rats quickly developed an impaired tolerance to glucose and a sizable weight gain, even when they took in the same amount of calories. What's more, the excess weight went straight to their middle sections, creating an increase in visceral fat. The findings suggest that estrogen receptors in the ventromedial nucleus, a region of the hypothalamus, plays an essential role in controlling energy balance, body fat distribution and normal body weight. The hypothalamus controls body temperature, hunger and thirst. By identifying critical brain regions that determine where body fat is distributed, Clegg's findings may help scientists formulate "designer" hormone replacement therapies to better manage and manipulate estrogen levels. "If we could target those critical regions and estrogen receptors associated with weight gain and energy expenditure, we could perhaps design therapies that help women sidestep many of the complications brought on by the onset of menopause," she said. Clegg presented her study in Boston at the 234th national meeting of the American Chemical Society. - AFP/de

Pomegranate juice is beneficial for boosting memory: study

Pomegranates are not fruits you’d commonly find on a fruit platter, but now there’s more reason to indulge in the tangy, red fruit. A recent study shows that pomegranates are more than just a delicious fruit — they might also act as a memory booster.

Researchers at Loma Linda University have found that drinking a glass of pomegranate juice every day could reduce one’s risk of Alzheimer’s.

The researchers studied mice that were genetically altered with a tendency to develop Alzheimer’s. Half the mice were fed one to two cups of pomegranate juice daily while the other half were fed with sugar syrup.

The mice were then put through a series of tests that required using visual clues to remember their way to a designated place.

Results of the experiment showed that the mice that were fed the juice outperformed the other group by 30 per cent.

The plaque or damaged cells in the brains of the mice was also reduced by as much as 50 per cent.

Co-author of the study Richard Hartman explained that pomegranates have a high content of polyphenols — or plant-based chemicals — that reduce the build-up of plaque and the destruction of brain cells.

According to nutritionist Louisa Zhang, pomegranates have a high level of vitamin A, C and E in addition to antioxidant properties. They could have other benefits too.

“A recent study involving 19 people has suggested that a daily glass of pomegranate juice could be effective in reducing the development of fatty deposits within the lining of one’s arteries. This could be due to the large amounts of antioxidants in the juice of the fruit,” she said.

A follow-up study has also been conducted to test whether drinking pomegranate juice helps to improve blood vessel function, reducing the hardening of arteries and improving heart health.

Ms Zhang said: “While waiting for more solid evidence and large scale clinical trials to be done, it is all right to take the juice in moderation.” - TODAY/ym

A few cups of coffee may helps to lower colon cancer risk

TOKYO : Drinking a few cups of coffee a day may lower the risk of advanced colon cancer, at least for women, Japanese researchers said Wednesday. The study, supported by Japan's health ministry, showed women who drink more than three cups of coffee a day were 56 percent less likely to develop advanced colon cancer than those who drink no coffee at all. "Drinking coffee sustains the secretion of bile acid and keeps down cholesterol levels, the mechanisms thought to prevent colon cancer," the report said. But unfortunately the effect was not seen in men, the medical research team said. Many men smoke and drink alcohol more than women, and those habits probably offset the effect of coffee, the study said. The research team tracked down about 96,000 people in Japan aged from 40 to 69 between the early 1990s and 2002, of whom 726 men and 437 women later suffered colon cancer. Other factors thought to have links to the risk of developing colon cancer include a person's age and whether they exercise and eat a lot of vegetables. - AFP/il

Exercise Our Brain

Learning is an important exercise for your brain like the rest of your body, your mind needs exercise to function at its best. Research suggests that learning is an important exercise for your brain that helps new cells grow. This can prevent memory loss and improve brain function.
Author of The Harvard Medical School Guide to Achieving Optimal Memory, Dr Aaron Nelson says "When you're learning things you are creating new synaptic networks — new networks of connections among brain cells."
And you shouldn't wait until you're older to start working your mind. Researchers have found that people who were mentally active in their 40s and 50s were less likely to develop Alzheimer's than those who weren't.
Others have found that people with higher levels of education had a reduced risk of Alzheimer's. Dr Nelson says it's not the act of going to college that protects the brain. Rather, it's the process of learning.

Fruits & Veggies Fight Asthma

Nutrients in plant foods may help prevent asthma

There is no cure to asthma, but there are very good medications available that help to control asthma. But do asthmatics have to be at the mercy of medications their whole lives? Or can diet also help to prevent asthma? A number of studies have suggested that antioxidants or certain other nutrients in plant foods may help prevent or ameliorate asthma and other allergic conditions. This is because carrots, tomato juice and spinach contain nutrients called carotenoids, some of which are converted into vitamin A in the body. And among other jobs, vitamin A helps regulate the immune system and maintain the lining of the respiratory tract.

In studies on this, researchers found in particular that women who eat plenty of tomatoes, carrots and leafy greens appear less likely to have asthma.
Though it's uncertain whether the foods are the reason, the findings suggest that some vegetables may protect against adulthood asthma.

In general, experts recommend that people eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day for overall health. However, while eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is beneficial for health, certain fruits and vegetables are more likely to prevent specific diseases.
The study found that carrots, tomatoes and leafy vegetables mainly spinach and lettuce were less to protect against the lung disease.
However, the researchers point out, they cannot rule out the possibility that higher intakes of carrots, tomatoes and leafy greens are simply a sign of a generally healthier diet - and not a special effect of these foods specifically.
Further studies, they conclude, are needed to confirm these results and to explore the possible effect of fruits and vegetables on asthma severity.

Warning Signs of Heart and Brain Atack

Warning signs of heart and brain attack

Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies where immediate medical attention is crucial.
Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies -- every second counts, because with each second, more irreversible damage occurs. So if you have symptoms get help immediately. The advice is not to wait longer than a five minutes to seek medical attention.
Many people think a heart attack is sudden and intense, like a "movie" heart attack, where a person clutches his or her chest and falls over.
The truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. Sometimes the symptoms go away and return. But as long as you experience some symptoms, and are unsure of what's happening, get help immediately to be safe.
Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

· Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

· Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

· Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

· Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
While men and women experience the same symptoms, bear in mind, that women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Just as you can get a heart attack, you can also get a brain attack or stroke. In a stroke, the need to see a doctor immediately is more critical.Here are warning signs of a stroke.

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.