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