Burning Holiday Calories

It’s that time of the year. You know what I’m talking about. That stretch of days that run from the calorie-hoarding period of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday through Christmas and into the New Year. Wait. Don’t forget the extended college football season that runs through the first week of January. While we’re at it, let’s include the NFL playoffs and ultimately the Super Bowl, which occurs the first week in February. Yes, that is over two months of food consumption. It’s time to cook. It’s time to bake. It’s time to eat. It’s time to hold a party. It’s time to over-consume calories.

I will admit it is a great time of the year: holidays with the family and championship football. Amen, sister! But why do we hoard calories during this time? For some reason food consumption goes hand-in-hand with the holiday celebrations and post-season football. The chips and dip, chicken wings, guacamole and cheese dips, beer, other high-calorie drinks, apple pies, cookies, and casseroles. Those options - coupled with the main course menu - can create a mega-calorie intake. Similar to an all-you-can-eat buffet, it’s the perfect recipe for calorie hoarding.

Let’s take a look at seasonal food intake, their calorie content, and amount of exercise required to expunge them. Using one of my favorite web sites, calorieking.com, I’m going to reveal to you the ugly truth of this two-month holiday food consumption period.

Moringa Tea and Vitamin A & C

Malunggay Leaves

Scientific name: Moringa oelifera

Malunggay leaves was once considered a "poor man's vegetables" but now it is known as a "miracle tree" or "nature's medicine cabinet" by scientists and health care workers from around the world because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an effective remedy against many kinds of ailments.

All parts of the malunggay tree are usable for nutritional and medicinal purposes - from the roots, trunk, and branches to the leaves, flowers, and seeds. The small, oval, dark-green leaves are famous vegetable ingredient in soup, fish and chicken dishes. The leaves can actually be eaten raw, but best added in meals due to its high concentration of nutrients. The roots is used to make tea, while the trunk, after it's scraped and squeezed for its juice is used to clean wounds.

Malunggay trees are generally grown in the backyards in countries of Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. It is said that these plants are "low maintenance," requiring little to no care.

Health Benefits:

• Malunggay leaves helps strengthens the immune system.
• Malunggay can help restores skin condition, controls blood pressure, relieves headaches and migraines.
• Malunggay tea can help strengthen the eye muscles.
• Malunggay tea can help heal inflammation of the joints and tendons.
• Malunggay tea can prevent intestinal worms.
• Malunggay can help increase semen count.
• Malunggay help normalize blood sugar level therefore preventing diabetes.
• Malunggay has anti-cancer compounds (phytochemicals) that help stop the growth of cancer cells.
• Malunggay helps relax and promotes good night sleep.
• Malunggay tea is used to treat fever and asthma.
• Malunggay help heals ulcers.
• Malunggay is high in calcium (four times the calcium in milk), therefore lactating mothers are advised to consume malunggay leaves to produce more milk for their babies. The young malunggay leaves are also boiled and taken as tea.
• Malunggay contains three times the potassium in bananas.
• Malunggay contain four times the vitamin A in carrots.
• An ounce of malunggay has the same Vitamin C content as seven oranges.
• Malunggay leaves contain two times the protein in milk.
• Malunggay seed is used to clean dirty or polluted water.

Malunggay as medicine

Studies have shown that malunggay can be used to treat a number of illnesses.

“Malunggay leaves are good for headache, bleeding from a shallow cut, bacterial and fungal skin complaints, anti-inflammatory gastric ulcers, diarrhea, and malnutrition,” 

This is one reason why the government has used malunggay in its feeding and nutrition programs.

Internal organs are said to benefit from the vegetable. “Malunggay pods are dewormers, good for treating liver and spleen problems, pain of the joints, and malnutrition. Likewise, malunggay seeds treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramp, STD, boils and urinary problems, and is a relaxant for epilepsy,” the senator added.

According to philippineherbalmedicine.org, the plant is anti-diabetic and anti-tumor: "There have been claims that malunggay can be used to lower blood pressure ... as well as its being an anti-tumor plant."

“Malunggay’s young leaves are edible and are commonly cooked and eaten like spinach or used to make soups and salads. They are an exceptionally good source of provitamin A, vitamins B and C, minerals (in particular iron), and the sulphur-containing amino acids

 methionine and cystine," said Senator Loren Legarda.

Source:

http://health-benefits-of-malunggay-leaves.blogspot.com/

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Supplementation and Muscle Damage

A recent study conducted by the Department of Human Nutrition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, examined the effects of supplemental docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on inflammation, soreness and other markers of muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Forty-one untrained men consumed either 2 g of DHA or a placebo each day, for a total of 28 days, prior to engaging in a bout of aggressive eccentric work focusing on the elbow flexors (biceps).

The biceps were used because delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle damage tends to be greatest when performing eccentric work with smaller muscle groups. The researchers examined the impact of DHA on isometric strength, range of motion (ROM), DOMS and various blood markers associated with inflammation and muscle damage. Isometric strength, ROM and DOMS were assessed on the day of the exercise bout as well as 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, and 17 days later. Blood markers were also measured on the day of the exercise bout as well as 2, 4, 7, 12 and 17 days later.

In the first three days after the eccentric exercise bout DHA supplementation reduce the serum creatine kinase and interleukin-6 responses (12.5% and 32%, respectively), but it did not positively impact isometric strength, ROM or DOMS. When examining all of the total data compiled over a 17-day period following the eccentric exercise bout, DHA use seemed to slightly minimize the impact of DOMS as well as serum creatine kinase levels when compared to the placebo.

Source:

http://www.ncsf.org/newsarticles/0-366/docosahexaenoic-acid-supplementation-and-muscle-damage.aspx

Common Herbs and their Vitamins and Mineral Sources

Vitamin and Mineral Sources from Herbs

By Dr. Thomas Stearns Lee, NMD

Herbs can be a good source of many valuable nutrients.  Here is a list of herbs that supply commonly needed nutrients.

Vitamin A	Alfalfa, Burdock, Cayenne, Dandelion, Garlic, Kelp, Marshmallow, Papaya, Parsley, Pokeweed, Raspberry, Red clover, Saffron, Watercress, Yellow dock
Thiamine (B1)	Cayenne, Dandelion, Fenugreek, Kelp, Parsley, Raspberry
Riboflavin (B2)	Alfalfa, Burdock, Dandelion, Fenugreek, Kelp, Parsley, Raspberry
Niacin (B3)	Alfalfa, Burdock, Dandelion, Fenugreek, Kelp, Parsley, Sage
Pyridoxine (B6)	Alfalfa, Wheat, Corn, Mugwort
Cobalamin (B12)	Alfalfa, Kelp
Vitamin C	Alfalfa, Burdock, Boneset, Catnip, Cayenne, Chickweed, Dandelion, Garlic, Hawthorn Berry, Horseradish, Kelp, Lobelia, Parsley, Plantain, Pokeweed, Papaya, Raspberry, Rose Hips, Shepherd's purse, Strawberry, Watercress, Yellow Dock
Vitamin D	Alfalfa, Watercress
Vitamin E	Alfalfa, Dandelion, Kelp, Raspberry, Rose hips, Watercress
Vitamin K	Alfalfa, Plantain, Shepherd's purse
Rutin	Dandelion, Rose hips, Rue
Calcium	Coltsfoot, Chive, Chamomile, Caraway seed, Cleavers, Dandelion, Dill, Horsetail, Meadow sweet, Mistletoe, Nettles, Parsley, Pimpernel, Plantain, Poppy seed, Raspberry, Shepherd's purse, Silverweed, Watercress, Yellow dock
Chlorophyll	Alfalfa, most leafy green potherbs
Chlorine	Alfalfa, Dandelion, Dill stems, Fennel stems, Goldenseal, Kelp, Myrrh, Nettles, Parsley, Plantain, Raspberry, Uva ursi, Watercress, Wintergreen
Copper	Agar-agar, Dandelion, Dulse, Kelp, Liverwort, Nettles, Parsley, Sorrel
Fluorine	Corn silk, Dill, Garlic, Horsetail, Plantain, Watercress
Iodine	Dulse, Garlic, Irish moon, Kelp, Sarsaparilla, Mustard, Parsley
Iron	Alfalfa, Burdock, Blue cohosh, Cayenne, Dandelion, Dulse, Kelp, Mullein, Nettles, Parsley, Pokeweed, Rhubarb, Rose hips, Yellow dock
Magnesium	Alfalfa, Blue cohosh, Carrot leaves, Cayenne, Dandelion, Dill, Kelp, Mistletoe, Mullein, Nettles, Peppermint, Primrose, Raspberry, Skullcap, Walnut leaves, Willow, Wintergreen, Manganese, Agar-agar, Bladderwrack, Burdock, Dulse, Kelp, Nettles, Sorrel, Strawberry leaves, Wintergreen, Yellow dock
Phosphorus	Alfalfa, Blue cohosh, Calamus, Calendula, Caraway, Cayenne, Chickweed, Dandelion, Garlic, Irish moss, Kelp, Licorice, Parsley, Purslane, Pokeweed, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rose hips, Watercress, Yellow dock
Potassium	Alfalfa, Blue cohosh, Birch, Borage, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Centaury, Dandelion, Dulse, Eyebright, Fennel, Irish moss, Kelp, Mistletoe, Mullein, Nettles, Papaya, Parsley, Peppermint, Plantain, Primrose, Raspberry, Shepherd's purse, White oak bark, Wintergreen, Yarrow
Selenium	Kelp, most seaweeds
Silicon	Alfalfa, Blue cohosh, Burdock, Chickweed, Corn silk, Flaxseed, Horsetail, Kelp, Nettle, Poppyseed, Raspberry, Sunflower seed
Sodium	Apple tree bark, Alfalfa, Cleavers, Dandelion, Dill, Dulse, Fennel, Irish moss, Kelp, Mistletoe, Nettles, Parsley, Shepherd's purse, Thyme
Sulphur	Alfalfa, Burdock, Cayenne, Coltsfoot, Eyebright, Fennel, Garlic, Irish moss, Kelp, Mullein, Nettles, Parsley, Plantain, Raspberry, Sage, Shepherd's purse, Thyme
Zinc	Kelp, Marshmallow

Tip:  These herbs are the highest and most common sources, but certainly not the only ones.  Do a word search in a major search engine on the nutrient or the herb you seek to find more specific information.

Source:

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/herbvit.htm

Alfalfa Herb Help to Remove Gout

Alfalfa Herb 

Signs and Symptoms of Gout

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis, and it is one of the most frequently recorded medical illnesses throughout history. It occurs when there is too much uric acid in the body, which leads to the formation of small urate crystals that then develop inside the tissues of the body, especially at the joints. When these crystals form in the joints, they cause chronic pain from joint inflammation. Chronic gout can also lead to deposits of uric acid in hard lumps around the joints, which usually leads to joint destruction, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones.

Gout is frequently associated with an inherited abnormality in the body's ability to process uric acid, which is a product of purines that are all part of the food we eat. Tophi, the deposits of uric acid that look like lumps under the skin, are one of the most discernible signs of gout. Usually, the first attack of gout happens in the big toe, which becomes sore, red, warm, and swollen.
Other common symptoms of gout are pain, swelling, redness, heat, and stiffness in the joints. Apart from the big toe, it can also affect the insteps, heels, ankles, wrists, fingers, elbows, and knees.

Causes of Gout

Genetics, gender, weight, and lifestyle can all affect one's chances of having gout. But the leading cause of gout is purine, the break down of substances that have uric acid. These purines are in many of the foods we eat, such as liver, dried beans and peas, and anchovies.

As mentioned, gout occurs when there is a deposition of uric acid in the joints. Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood, which passes through the kidneys and out of the body in the form of urine. However, uric acid actually builds up in the blood when the body increases the amount of uric acid it makes, when the kidney doesn't get rid of enough uric acid, and when a person eats too many foods high in purines. When the uric acid levels in the blood are too high, they cause a condition called hyperuricemia. Most people who have this do not actually develop gout, however, if those uric acid crystals that also develop in hyperuricemia form in the body, gout can develop.

Individuals that are overweight, alcoholic, or who eat large amounts of foods rich in purines are at a higher risk of developing gout. The gout risk is also higher if there are family members with the same disease, and men generally are at a higher risk than women. There have been studies that show regular consumption of certain medications such as aspirin, cycloscopine, or ledvodopa, as well as the vitamin Niacin, can also increase your chances of developing this condition. Other groups that are susceptible to developing gout are those that have had an organ transplant, and individuals who have been exposed to high amounts of lead in the environment.

Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Gout

 

Diet Adjustments

The best thing that you can do to prevent gout from happening in the first place is to watch your diet and stay away from foods that contain high amounts of purines. Stay away from fried foods and from those that contain large amounts sugar. Limit your consumption of beans, poultry, yeast products, fish, peanuts and meat.


Instead, stick to vegetables, especially starchy and green vegetables. Corn, fruit, rice, eggs, milk, and cheese are also good additions to your diet. Do not drink alcohol, and instead, drink lots of purified water because it helps get of uric acid.

Alfalfa

 

Alfalfa can help reduce uric acid levels in the body. Therefore, taking 3000 milligrams of alfalfa capsules or tablets every day is an effective way to treat gout. Other herbs such as devil's claw, bilberry, yarrow, yucca, juniper, skull cap, hyssop, turmeric, burdock, and boswellia can also be helpful alternatives to reduce your chances of getting gout.

Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar

 

A mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar has been found to be effective at treating gout. Two spoonfuls each, one in the morning and once before going to bed, can help alleviate some of the discomfort and pain. Use the organic kind of apple cider vinegar from health food stores, however, instead of the kind you find at grocery stores, as it is more purified and works more effectively.

Wintergreen Oil and Cayenne Powder

 

A paste mixture made of wintergreen oil and cayenne powder can help reduce gout inflammation. Start with one tablespoon of the oil in a small bowl, and then slowly mix small amounts of cayenne powder into the oil until you get the consistency of a paste. You can then rub this mixture onto the affected areas that are causing pain. Try to leave the paste on the skin for at least 30 minutes unless you feel discomfort. This mixture can cause eye irritation, so be sure to avoid contact with the eyes.

Alfalfa Cautions

Alfalfa is generally safe when consumed by healthy persons but there are situations where caution is appropriate. Some people have experienced a mild upset stomach or lupus like effects. Because of this, persons with autoimmune disease or hormonal cancer should avoid alfalfa. Pregnant women and persons with gout should also avoid alfalfa. Consult your healthcare provider before using alfalfa leaf if you are currently taking any form of medication or dealing with an autoimmune disease.

Source:

http://www.homeremediesweb.com/gout-home-remedies.php

Natural Remedies for Gout

Gout is triggered by the following factors;

• Excessive consumption of foods rich in Purines such as animal organs that include kidney, heart, liver and brain.
• excessive consumption of alcohol
• overweight
• heredity

The best way to handle gout is to ensure that you cut down on excessive accumulation of uric acid in the body. There are several natural remedies available for gout. One of the most important natural gout treatment remedies is the herbal treatment.
Herbs have been used by humankind since time immemorial to treat various ailments. Some of the world’s famous drugs derive their chemical formulae from natural herbs. There are several herbs that have been known to treat gout. Although all these herbs perform dual functions, that is, neutralizing uric acid and relieving pain through anti-inflammatory properties, they do fall into two main categories;

• Neutralizing herbs for natural gout treatment
• Anti-inflammation herbs for natural gout treatment

Neutralizing herbs;

Alfalfa – Alfalfa is a herb that has been used since time immemorial by Chinese and Arabs in treatment of various ailments including gout. Alfalfa has a rich variety of vitamins and essential minerals which make it have diuretic properties that not only help to neutralize uric acid but breaks uric acid into forms that can easily be excreted out of the body system. Alfalfa also contains anti-inflammatory properties that help you to relieve gout pain.
Read about certain precautions and side effects of overuse of Alfalfa – Alfalfa for natural gout treatment

Other than the more effective Alfalfa, other herbs that have neutralizing effect include the Devil’s Claw, cayenne, licorice, meadowsweet (leaves and flower tops), feverfew, boswellia and white willow bark.

Anti-inflammation herbs:
Nettle roots – Nettle roots have diuretic properties which serve to break down uric acid into simple compounds that that can easily be excreted. Furthermore, it has antihistamine properties which serve as pain relievers against gout.

Bilberries and Blueberries – Bilberry contains high levels of both Vitamin C and Potassium. These serve both functions of neutralizing and decomposing uric acid for easy excretion and pain relief. So these can be used as natural remedies for gout.

Other than herbs, there are other natural remedies that aid in treatment of gout. These include;
Cherries and other Vitamin C fruits – Cherries, especially the Black Cherry juice is a very important natural remedy for gout. Black Cherry and other fruits rich in Vitamin C such as lime fruit and oranges help to neutralize excessive uric acid in the body.

Potassium-rich foods – Apples and Bananas are rich in potassium. Potassium is known to dilute and neutralize uric acid and therefore taking foods rich in Potassium goes a long way in treating gout.
Use of herbs for natural gout treatment is a highly effective means of managing gout in the absence of conventional medicines.

Source:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/19.html

Natural Herbs and Vitamins

Natural herbs and vitamins go hand in hand. Most of the natural herbs are rich in vitamins and minerals like polyphenols and flavonoids but yet these are ignored. These are an intense source of nutrients that are beneficial for various body functions.

Natural herbs rich in vitamins provide an array of valuable treatments of various health conditions. If taken as directed in the right amount, natural herbs can show miraculous results on health and wellness.
There are endless numbers of natural vitamins herbs. Herbs containing Vitamin A are ginger, garlic, dandelion, lemon grass, peppermint, cayenne, burdock root, chickweed, comfrey, cabbage, mustard greens, ginseng, spinach, celery, turnip greens and many more. Vitamin A is essential for preventing skin diseases and night blindness.

Herbs rich in Vitamin B1 are alfalfa, cayenne, chamomile, catnip, chickweed, dandelion, fenugreek, nettle, hops, bladder wrack, burdock root, red clover, sage and yarrow. B1 is essential for healthy blood circulation and carbohydrate metabolism.

Vitamin B2 is required by human body for forming red blood cells. It is naturally found in herbs such as cayenne, alfalfa, chickweed dandelion eyebright, chamomile, fennel, hops, ginseng, fenugreek, nettle, bladder wrack, burdock root, catnip, peppermint, parsley, oat straw, raspberry leaf, red clover and rose hips and sage.

Natural Herbs rich in Vitamin B3 are burdock root, alfalfa, fennel, ginger, catnip, chickweed, eyebright, cayenne, peppermint, raspberry leaf, chamomile, hops, parsley, oat straw, nettle, red clover and slippery elm. Vitamin B3 is vital for healthy circulation and skin health.

Herbs rich in Vitamin B5 are Black catnip, eye bright and red clover. This vitamin is essential for proper nerve function.

Vitamin B6 is naturally found in herbs such as alfalfa, straw, oat, catnip, berries and licorice. This vitamin is essential for retarding the growth of homocysteine that causes harm to the heart muscles.

Natural herbs rich in Vitamin B12 are alfalfa, dandelion, hawthorn berries, hops, bladder wrack, and white oak bark. B12 is used to fight anemia and help the formation of red blood cells.

Natural herbs rich in Vitamin C are capsicum, tomato, dandelion, lobelia, peppermint, mustard greens, yarrow and thyme. This vitamin is essential for energy metabolism.

Vitamin D good for maintaining healthy bones and teeth is richly found in natural herbs such as alfalfa, carrot, eyebright, fenugreek, grains, mullein, nettle, chickweed, dandelion, horsetail, lemongrass, lettuce, oatmeal and parsley. Natural herb vitamins are beneficial for various other health improvements. These also play a major role in weight loss and fertility.


Source:

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/vitamins/natural-vitamin/herbs.html

Vitamin D Helps Cure Low Energy and Depression

The Northwest's dreary winters are infamous for inducing depression. But being starved for sunlight can do more than kick you into a psychic hole. A growing body of evidence suggests it can raise your risk of cancer, increase susceptibility to heart attack, diabetes and other disorders, and at least partly account for the region's sky-high rates of multiple sclerosis.

The reason is vitamin D, an essential nutrient produced in abundance by skin exposed to the sun's rays. Long dismissed as being important mainly for strong bones, the so-called sunshine vitamin is now recognized as a key player throughout the body, including the immune system.
Experts say vitamin D deficiency is much more common than previously believed — especially in northern climes like Washington, where solar radiation from October to March is too puny to maintain healthy levels.

"You're in a dark, gloomy place," said Bruce Hollis, a leading vitamin D researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina. "In the winter, you could stand outside naked for five hours and nothing is going to happen."
Increased use of sunscreen has turned a seasonal shortfall into a year-round condition for many people. A recent survey in Britain found 87 percent of adults tested during winter, and more than 60 percent in summer, had subpar vitamin D levels. Doctors in many parts of the world — including California — report a resurgence of childhood rickets, soft bones caused by lack of vitamin D.

While supplements offer a cheap and easy solution, Hollis and other researchers argue the recommended intake is too low to provide many health benefits. A Canadian medical organization advises that pregnant and nursing women take 10 times the amount suggested in the U.S.
"You're more likely to live longer and you're less likely to die of serious chronic disease if you have adequate vitamin D on board," said Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University School of Medicine, one of the world's top experts. "It may well be the most important nutrient of the decade."

Risks of low levels
When Lisa Hill went to her doctor complaining of joint pain, she was surprised to get a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency. "I had never heard of it," said the 54-year-old Gig Harbor woman.
Since leaving her native Southern California, her sun exposure has dropped dramatically.
"You're like a little mole in a hole," she said. "You just don't get much sun here."

Many doctors once scoffed at the notion of vitamin D deficiency, but testing has become more routine and is covered by most insurance.
University of Washington heart surgeon Dr. Donald Miller Jr. tested 78 of his patients and found three-quarters had "insufficient" levels of vitamin D.
"It was really pretty shocking," said Miller.

In a study of 1,739 Boston-area residents reported last month, rates of heart attack, stroke and heart failure were about 50 percent higher in those with low levels of vitamin D. In addition to strengthening bones, muscles and joints, high vitamin D levels have been linked with lower rates of colon, prostate, breast, esophageal and pancreatic cancer. Harvard scientists found that high levels of vitamin D reduced children's odds of developing asthma, while researchers in Pittsburgh reported that pregnant women with low vitamin D had greater risk of preeclampsia, a dangerous form of high blood pressure.

Vitamin D also appears to be one of the reasons multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases are twice as common in northern vs. southern states. Washington's rate of MS, which causes progressive nerve damage, is one of the highest in the nation. Blood samples from more than 7 million military personnel showed people with the highest levels of vitamin D were 62 percent less likely to develop MS than those with the lowest concentrations. A study in Finland found similar results.

What D can do
Formed in skin cells exposed to UVB, the invisible form of light that causes sunburn, vitamin D and its breakdown products act throughout the body. The compounds are believed to regulate as many as 1,000 genes, including genes that weed out precancerous cells and genes that slow the runaway reproduction typical of cancer. Molecular geneticist John White and his colleagues at McGill University in Montreal discovered vitamin D also switches on an arm of the immune system that kills bacteria — including the bug responsible for tuberculosis.

"It's a kind of front-line response to infection," he said.
That may explain why TB patients in the early 1900s who basked in the sun at sanitariums were often cured, added White, author of a recent Scientific American article on vitamin D.
The compound has an anti-inflammatory effect, too, which probably plays a role in preventing heart disease and autoimmune disorders.

The evolutionary angle is also being explored, with the suggestion that early people who migrated north from the equator lost skin pigmentation to maximize vitamin D production. Today, dark-skinned people in northern latitudes are among the most vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency.

Inconclusive studies
While the evidence is piling up, most of it is still based only on association. Scientists count cancer cases, infer or measure vitamin intake, then look for correlations. Some researchers advise caution until there's more data from controlled trials, where one group gets vitamin D, while another gets a placebo.

One such trial last year found 1,000 international units (IU) a day slashed cancer risk for women. But a much bigger study found women who took vitamin D supplements had the same risk of colon cancer as those who didn't. "I would say the jury is out," said Ulrike Peters, who studies nutrition and cancer at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Women in the large experiment took 400 IU a day of vitamin D — the amount in a typical multivitamin.

Hollis, the South Carolina researcher, says the results simply show that standard doses aren't enough.
The U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends 200 IU a day up to age 50, and 400 to 600 IU for older people. The Canadian Paediatric Society recently urged pregnant and nursing women to take 2,000 IU a day — which the IOM designates as the maximum safe dose.

Vitamin D experts say much higher doses are safe. Exposing just your arms and legs to the summer sun for less than 15 minutes can generate 5,000 IU, Holick pointed out. It is possible to go overboard with supplements and trigger dangerous calcium deposits in kidneys and blood vessels, but Holick says it takes a lot: more than 10,000 IU a day for a year.

Various studies have linked low 25(OH)D levels to diseases other than cancer, raising the possibility that vitamin D insufficiency is contributing to many major illnesses. For example, there is substantial though not definitive evidence that high levels of vitamin D either from diet or from UVR exposure may decrease the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Populations at higher latitudes have a higher incidence and prevalence of MS; a review in the December 2002 issue of Toxicology by epidemiology professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby and colleagues from The Australian National University revealed that living at a latitude above 37° increased the risk of developing MS throughout life by greater than 100%.

“Scientific evidence on specific effects of vitamin D in preventing MS or slowing its progression is not sufficient,” says Alberto Ascherio, a nutritional epidemiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health. “Nevertheless, considering the safety of vitamin D even in high doses, there is no clear contraindication, and because vitamin D deficiency is very prevalent, especially among MS patients, taking vitamin D supplements and getting moderate sun exposure is more likely to be beneficial than not.”

As with MS, there appears to be a latitudinal gradient for type 1 diabetes, with a higher incidence at higher latitudes. A Swedish epidemiologic study published in the December 2006 issue of Diabetologia found that sufficient vitamin D status in early life was associated with a lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Nonobese mice of a strain predisposed to develop type 1 diabetes showed an 80% reduced risk of developing the disease when they received a daily dietary dose of 1,25(OH)D, according to research published in the June 1994 issue of the same journal. A finish study published 3 November 2001 in The Lancet showed that children who received 2,000 IU vitamin D per day from 1 year of age on had an 80% decreased risk of developing type 1 diabetes later in life, whereas children who were vitamin D deficient had a fourfold increased risk. 

Researchers are now seeking to understand how much UVR/vitamin D is needed to lower the risk of diabetes and whether this is a factor only in high-risk groups. There is also a connection with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increases one’s risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A study in the September 2006 issue of Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology demonstrated that in young and elderly adults, serum 25(OH)D was inversely correlated with blood glucose concentrations and insulin resistance. Some studies have demonstrated high prevalence of low vitamin D levels in people with type 2 diabetes, although it is not clear whether this is a cause of the disease or an effect of another causative factor—for example, lower levels of physical activity (in this case, outdoor activity in particular).

People living at higher latitudes throughout the world are at higher risk of hypertension, and patients with cardiovascular disease are often found to be deficient in vitamin D, according to research by Harvard Medical School professor Thomas J. Wang and colleagues in the 29 January 2008 issue of Circulation. “Although the exact mechanisms are poorly understood, it is known that 1,25(OH)D is among the most potent hormones for down-regulating the blood pressure hormone renin in the kidneys,” says Holick. “Moreover, there is an inflammatory component to atherosclerosis, and vascular smooth muscle cells have a vitamin D receptor and relax in the presence of 1,25(OH)D, suggesting a multitude of mechanisms by which vitamin D may be cardioprotective.”

Source:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/

http://seattletimes.com/html/health/2004179538_vitamind13m.html

Reversing Diabetes

 

Diabetes is one of the most rampant diseases of our time. According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2012, 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3% of the population, had diabetes. [1]

In fact, diabetes is growing at a fairly fast rate. A study completed by the CDC & Research Triangle Institute concluded that If recent trends in diabetes prevalence rates continue linearly over the next 50 years, future changes in the size and demographic characteristics of the U.S. population will lead to dramatic increases in the number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes. [2]

According to the current mainstream approach, the major goal in treating diabetes is to minimize any elevation of blood sugar (glucose) without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is treated first with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. [3] Currently the belief is “Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure.”– The American Diabetes Association.

But what if we could not only prevent diabetes before it happened, but also reverse it once it shows up?

 

6 Test Subjects Reverse Diabetes In 30 Days

In the film Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days, six test subjects were used, all of whom had varying lifestyles and conditions but were all diabetic- five type 2, and one type 1. Each subject was taking insulin.

Before we get into the results of this film, let’s take note of what is established about type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This information is from The National Diabetes Education Program:

Type 1 diabetes – the body does not make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for energy. People with type 1 need to take insulin every day.

Type 2 diabetes – the body does not make or use insulin well. People with type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes.

The participants of the program were as follows:

• Austin (age 25) was not only a type 1 diabetic, but he also had a drinking problem.
• Kirt (age 25) had a blood sugar reading of 1200. Normal is below 100. His doctor told him, “You should be dead.”
• Bill (age 58) was seeing a cardiologist and had neuropathy. He could not feel his feet.
• Michelle (age 36) was quite obese.
• Henry (age 58) took insulin plus 9 pills daily. Blood sugar was at 464.
• Pam (62) was quite obese. Her father, brother and sister are also diabetic.

 

The Method

The approach Gabriel Cousens takes to cure people of diabetes is all about changing their diet. He states that research shows that in terms of health, meat eaters have 4 times more breast cancer, 3.6 times more prostate cancer, 4 times more diabetes, and much more in general chronic disease. If you’re just having milk, that’s 3 times more leukemia.[4]

Given his position on diet, he believes in taking a mainly raw approach to eating and consuming a plant based diet. His team prepares raw, well-balanced and whole meals for the test subjects throughout the 30 day period. The food becomes their medicine.

With medical supervision, all of the subjects took their medication as needed and ate the food that is provided to them by Gabriel and his team at the Tree Of Life Rejuvenation Center.

 

Results

By Day 3 of the program Kirt, Bill and Henry were able to stop taking insulin and medication. Their blood sugar levels had already dropped to the normal range after just 3 days of changing their diet. Pam was able to cut her insulin intake by 1/3. Austin, the type 1 diabetic, was able to cut his insulin intake down to half. And Michelle saw her blood sugar at around 362. This discouraged her to the point where she didn’t want to stay in the program any longer, although she did.

By day 12 of the program, Henry’s blood sugar had dropped 256 points compared to day 1. He was not using medication to lower his blood sugar levels. Although he was seeing great results, Henry felt he was too old for the program and requested to go home. His family arrived on day 17 and he went home. By that time, he was no longer taking 17 medications, he had lost 30 pounds and his blood pressure had decreased. In Henry’s case, his addiction to the food he used to eat was too difficult to overcome.

By the very last day, day 30, incredible results were seen that intensely challenges the current belief that diabetes has no cure.

• Kirt no longer needed medications. His blood sugar had dropped 214 points to as low as 73 (normal) without medication. It was later found out he was type 1 diabetic since the beginning. Status: Within normal range.
• Bill stopped taking 19 medications and lost 32 pounds. His blood sugar dropped 214 points to 74 (normal) without medication or insulin. Status: Within normal range.
• Michelle stopped taking all of her medications and lost 23 pounds. Her blood sugar dropped from 291 to 109 without the use of medication. Status: Within normal range.
• Pam lost 26 pounds while her blood sugar dropped 167 points down to 112 without medication. Status: Within normal range.
• Austin, who is type 1 diabetic, lost 20 pounds and reduced his insulin from 70 units down to 5. Status: Drastic improvement in diabetic condition.

As you can see, all participants had drastic turn-arounds in their health and all had their diabetes either completely reversed or severely under control. A type 1 diabetic (Kirt) had his diabetes completely cured -something that is considered impossible. All type 2 diabetics no longer needed insulin.

 

What Does This Tell Us?

Like many things in modern medicine, we don’t have all of the answers and in a lot of cases we have a difficult time admitting that what is currently mainstream  isn’t always the best course of action.

People everywhere are taking alternate routes to achieve results equal to and sometimes better than what is made available to them through mainstream voices like doctors and government appointed professionals. I feel it’s important that people know their options and have a fair chance of hearing them out. I know many people with diabetes who aren’t aware of the power of food in transforming their condition yet are taking insulin and following mainstream ideas as if it’s the only truth.

It isn’t to say that the mainstream is bad, it’s simply that we are missing out on other options in a big way. After all, the American Diabetes Association makes claims about there being no cures yet the above results would suggest there is more to that story.

Source:

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/09/09/these-people-reversed-their-diabetes-in-30-days-with-this-one-change/

Boswellia Benefits

Boswellia (boswellia serrata) is a tree gum resin that has multiple health benefits. Also known as frankincense, it has been burned as incense in religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries.  In today’s alternative health world boswellia is widely regarded as a potent anti-inflammatory nutrient, wherein its primary active ingredient, acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), inhibits the inflammatory enzyme 5-lipoxygenase.  Excess 5-lipoxygenase is common in joint pain, allergies, respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular problems.  A number of new studies give insights into boswellia, a unique nutrient, even expanding its potential usefulness.

A recent review of boswellia highlighted its many uses in traditional ayurvedic medicine: arthritis, diarrhea, dysentery, ringworm, boils, fevers (antipyretic), skin and blood diseases, cardiovascular diseases, mouth sores, bad throat, bronchitis, asthma, cough, vaginal discharges, hair loss, jaundice, hemorrhoids, syphilitic diseases, irregular menses and liver stimulation.  In modern times boswellia has accumulated scientific data supporting its anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory uses, along with the ability to lower cholesterol, prevent plaque buildup, and defend your liver. 
Articles on Boswellia:
Boswella – Helping Joints, Killing Germs & Even Boosting Your Brain,
Boswella Update:  Helping Joints, Killing Germs, & Reducing Inflammation, and
Boswella Effective Against Oral Pathogens.

In an animal experiment of intentionally induced free radical damage, boswellia reduced the amount of damage in the liver by 80 percent and in the heart by 50 percent.  The researchers demonstrated potent anticoagulant properties, significantly reducing platelet aggregation.  Preventing your blood from getting too sticky is vital to healthy circulation and stroke prevention.  Boswella not only lowers factors in your blood that promote stickiness, but it also has a direct impact on the rate of clotting.  In this study it extended the prothrombin time on par with heparin.

The association of joint pain and obesity is a common finding.  Researchers now know that it isn’t just the extra weight causing mechanical wear and tear.  There appear to be common inflammation mechanisms causing both joint destruction and obesity.  One emerging culprit is excessive amounts of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).  LPS is generated as bacteria sheath off their outer wall.  Overweight individuals typically have imbalanced digestive bacteria making larger-than-normal amounts of LPS, which enter the general circulation and trigger inflammation, including joint inflammation.  Another new study shows that boswellia can directly attach itself to toxic LPS, preventing the LPS from doing anything inflammatory.  This is a novel way that boswellia reduces inflammation and is of particular value for individuals who are overweight and experiencing joint pain.

We are now in an epidemic of type 2 diabetes.  Interestingly, many people who persist in this condition also develop type 1 diabetes, because their pancreas gets too inflamed and tired out from having to try to make insulin all the time.  Another recent study shows that boswellia was able to prevent the rise in blood sugar due to toxin-induced type 1 diabetes.  Boswellia protected the insulin producing cells in the pancreas from damage.  It reduced a number of inflammatory messages, including two of the most common that are elevated when a person is overweight (IL-6 and TNFa).  This study supports the idea that boswellia can help protect the pancreas.

One of the hot topics in cancer research is the subject of epigenetics.  Epigenetics deals with the topic of how genes are expressed, rather than a true genetic malfunction based on a change to the DNA sequence.  Researchers studying epigenetics now realize the power of environment and nutrition to influence gene function and thus cancer risk. New research shows that boswellia is another nutrient that can influence epigenetic function.  Working with colon cancer cells researchers found that boswellia changed epigenetic function so that tumor suppressor genes started functioning again.

Boswellia continues to be an exciting nutrient with multiple health benefits.  There are many pathways of inflammation; boswellia is one of the most powerful natural inhibitors of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway.  Since virtually every poor condition of health that sets in during aging is associated with increased amounts of inflammation, you need all the help you can get to tilt the balance of anti-inflammation in your favor.  Boswellia is one nutrient worth having on your team.

Source:

http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/boswellia_an_anti-inflammatory_with_multiple_talents/

Berberine Benefits

Berberine: Berberine is an alkaloid found in various different medicinal herbs. Probably the most popular herb containing berberine is Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis), followed by Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) and Chinese Isatis (Isatis tinctoria).

A 1990 study tested the tumor-killing effect of berberine compared to the chemotherapy drug BCNU (carmustine) in both glioma cell cultures and in rodents implanted with tumors. Berberine alone produced a 91% kill rate in cell cultures, compared to 43% for BCNU. Combining berberine with BCNU yielded a kill rate of 97% (Zhang, RX et al 1990).

A 1994 paper described in vitro experiments using berberine alone, or in combination with laser treatments, on glioma cells. The combination was especially effective, suggesting “the possibility of berberine as a photosensitive agent” (Chen KT et al 1994).

A 2004 paper tells us that berberine increases the benefit of radiation treatment by making glioblastoma cells more sensitive to radiation damage, without affecting healthy brain cells (Wallace J et al 2004). A similar effect is seen in lung cancer wherein berberine sensitizes lung tumor cells to radiation (Peng PL et al 2008, Liu Y et al 2008).

Berberine slows the spread of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, decreasing motility of the tumor cells (Liu SJ et al 2008). Berberine inhibits gene expression and enzyme activity necessary for glioblastoma and astrocytoma growth (Wang DY et al 2002). It also inhibits an enzyme called arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT). NAT may initiate cancer and has been correlated with the carcinogenic effect of heterocyclic aromatic amines, the kind of chemicals formed when red meat is cooked (Hung CF et al 2000).
 
The scientific understanding of how berberine actually works continues to advance. A 2007 description suggested that berberine acts “through several ways, such as regulating apoptotic gene expression, suppressing the formation of tumor angiogenesis [and] blocking signal transduction pathway” (Yang J et al 2007). A 2008 study explained that berberine triggers apoptosis in glioblastoma cells through the mitochondrial caspases pathway (Eom KS et al 2008). As of 2009, research reported that berberine kills glioma cells through several mechanisms: “Cytotoxicity is attributable to apoptosis mainly through induced G2/M-arrested cells, in an ER-dependent manner, via a mitochondria-dependent caspase pathway regulated by Bax and Bcl-2” (Chen TC et al 2009).

 In 2010 explanations for action expanded to include the inhibition of NF-KappaB and the reduction of a series of chemicals that help cancer cells to survive, including one called survivin (Pazhang Y et al 2010). Survivin slows down apoptosis, allowing tumor cells to survive. Healthy cells do not produce survivin but cancer cells typically do (Pandey MK et al 2008).

Several hundred published papers suggest that berberine is effective against not only brain tumors but a range of cancers. In the last few months alone, several interesting papers have been published. Among their conclusions are: berberine prevents cell growth and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells (Kim JB et al 2010; Patil JB et al 2010); berberine is cytotoxic to cervical cancer cells (Lu B et al 2010); berberine inhibits cell growth in pancreatic cancer cells by inducing DNA damage (Pinto-Garcia L et al 2010); and berberine triggers cellular suicide in tongue cancer (Ho YT et al 2009).

Boswellia: The resin from Boswellia serrata also has an important role in treating brain cancer. Boswellia is commonly used for treating inflammation because it acts as an NF-KappaB inhibitor. It is neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and reduces anxiety (Moussaieff A et al 2009).
One important use of boswellia is in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries. Boswellia decreases the brain swelling from glioblastoma, allowing a decrease in the use of prednisone and thus reducing its side effects (Janssen G et al 2000).

Boswellia inhibits hippocampal neurodegeneration and exerts a beneficial effect on functional outcome after closed head injury, as evidenced by reduced neurological severity scores and improved cognitive ability in an object recognition test (Moussaieff A et al 2008).
A 2006 paper reports that Boswellia serrata was gaining importance in the treatment of edema surrounding tumors and other chronic inflammatory diseases. This study suggested that boswellia might be considered as an alternative to corticosteroids in reducing cerebral peritumoral edema (Weber CC et al 2006).

Finding ways to reduce or replace steroid use in the treatment of brain tumors is important, since steroid drugs may protect brain tumor cells. According to a 2000 article in Neuroscience, “glucocorticoids are often used in the treatment of gliomas to relieve cerebral oedema, the inhibition of apoptosis by these compounds could potentially interfere with the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.” (Gorman AM et al 2000)
A 2006 study reported that steroids interfere with glioma cell apoptosis (Ní Chonghaile T et al 2006). Steroids block the cancer-killing action of camptothecin, a chemotherapy drug used in treating glioma (Qian YH et al 2009).

Boswelliamay be doubly useful for primary brain tumors. Studies published in 2000 (Winking M et al 2000) and 2002 (Park YS et al 2002) tell us that in addition to helping reduce cerebral swelling around the tumor, boswellia also kills glioblastoma cells in a dose-dependent manner.
Boswellia is also useful for treating secondary brain tumors. In 2007 researchers reported using boswellia to treat a patient with breast cancer metastasis to the brain. Familiar with the German research on using boswellia in the treatment of primary brain tumors, the team tried it with these secondary brain tumors and reported benefit. After ten weeks of boswellia treatment in combination with radiation treatment, all signs of brain metastases on the patient’s CT scans had disappeared (Flavin DF 2007).

Curcumin: Curcumin is extracted from turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa), a plant that has been eaten for thousands of years. As of this writing, the National Institute of Health’s website, PubMed, lists 1,335 published papers on curcumin and cancer in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

A growing number of these studies focus specifically on using curcumin in connection with brain cancer. A 2006 paper tells us curcumin suppresses growth of glioblastoma by triggering the apoptotic pathways that destroy glioblastoma cells (Karmakar S et al 2006). Curcumin turns off the signals in the cells that protect glioblastoma cells from apoptosis, allowing the suicide process to destroy the cancer cells (Karmakar S et al 2007, Luthra PM et al 2009).

Curcumin has a similar action against other brain tumor types, including meduloblastoma cells and pituitary cancers (Bangaru ML et al 2010, Elamin MH et al 2010). Curcumin inhibits pituitary cancer from forming (Schaaf C et al 2010). It also slows growth of pituitary tumors and inhibits production of excess pituitary hormones by tumors (Schaaf C et al 2009, Miller M et al 2008).

Curcumin’s mechanisms of action are complex. It acts through multiple pathways, interfering with cancer growth and stimulating cancer destruction (Choi BH et al 2008). Curcumin decreases Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a chemical that promotes tumor migration and invasion (Lu DY et al 2010, Song H et al 2006). It also acts as an angiogenesis inhibitor (Perry MC et al 2010).
An article in Brain Research confirms that curcumin crosses the blood brain barrier; thus reaching the brain and any tumor cells there (Purkayastha S et al 2009). A study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry reported that curcumin sensitized glioma cells to several of the chemotherapy drugs often utilized to treat brain cancers (cisplatin, etoposide, camptothecin, and doxorubicin) as well as to radiation. “These findings support a role for curcumin as an adjunct to traditional chemotherapy and radiation in the treatment of brain cancer” (Dhandapani KM et al 2007).

Curcumin has long been known for poor bioavilability, requiring high doses to achieve desired blood levels. A novel curcumin formulation, BCM-95^®, has been developed. It delivers up to seven times more bioactive curcumin to the blood than earlier curcumin formulations. Human evidence for the increased bioavailability of BCM-95^® was published in a 2008 study in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science (Antony B et al 2008). An earlier animal trial was published in Spice India in 2006 (Merina B et al 2006).

Other Natural Ingredients

Quercetin: Quercetin enhances glioma cell death (Siegelin MD et al 2009). While killing cancer cells, quercetin protects healthy brain cells (Braganhol E et al 2006).
An especially interesting study tested a combination of quercetin and the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (Temodar®) on astrocytoma tumor cells. Temozolomide is commonly used for the treatment of glioma in conjunction with radiation therapy. This drug typically kills brain tumor cells by triggering a process called autophagy, while quercetin promotes necrosis in a dose dependent manner.

This study reported for the first time that quercetin combined with temozolomide was much more effective in inducing apoptosis, programmed cell death, in glioma cells than was either substance alone. To quote the authors, “Our results indicate that quercetin acts in synergy with temozolomide and when used in combination rather than in separate pharmacological application, both drugs are more effective in programmed cell death induction. Temozolomide administered with quercetin seems to be a potent and promising combination which might be useful in glioma therapy” (Jakubowicz-Gil J, et al 2010).

Resveratrol: Resveratrol also strongly inhibits brain tumor cells (Leone S et al 2008, Shao J et al 2009, Gagliano N et al 2010). Quercetin and resveratrol, when taken together “presented a strong synergism in inducing senescence-like growth arrest. These results suggest that combining these polyphenols can potentiate their antitumoral activity, thereby reducing the therapeutic concentration needed for glioma treatment” (Zamin LL et al 2009).

Green Tea and Coffee: People who drink five cups per day of tea or coffee are 40% less likely to get glioma (Holick CN et al 2010). A 2006 study informed us that the EGCG in green tea reduces the radio-resistance of glioblastoma cells potentially increasing the benefit of the standard radiation and chemotherapy treatment of this cancer (Karmakar S et al 2006).

Caffeine, found in significant quantities in coffee and green tea, inhibits migration of glioblastoma cells and increases survival (Kang SS et al 2010). It also makes glioma cells more sensitive to ionizing radiation and chemotherapy (Sinn B et al 2010). Caffeine enhances the effect of temozolomide in radiation treatments (Chalmers AJ et al 2009).

At least part of the explanation for these benefits is that coffee is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist (Choi SY et al 2007). PPAR gamma agonists inhibit brain tumor growth and possibly even brain cancer stem cells (Grommes C et al 2010, Chearwae W 2008).
Sulforaphane: Sulforaphane is one of the active compounds in cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli, responsible for their anti-cancer action. It has been shown to confer neuroprotection and preserve blood-brain-barrier integrity in animal models (Dash PK et al 2009).

Sulforaphane activates “multiple molecular mechanisms for apoptosis in glioblastoma cells following treatment” (Karmakar S et al 2006). Resveratrol and sulforaphane act synergistically against brain tumor cells. A 2010 article states, “Combination treatment with resveratrol and sulforaphane inhibits cell proliferation and migration, and reduces cell viability. Resveratrol and sulforaphane, may be a viable approach for the treatment of glioma.” (Jiang H et al 2010)

Source:

http://www.lef.org/protocols/cancer/brain-tumor/page-02

Can Berberine Prevent Tumors?

Synonyms

Acetone, berberine, barberry, benzophenanthridine alkaloid, berberin, berberin hydrochloride, berberine alkaloid, berberine bisulfate, berberine chloride, berberine complex, berberine hydrochloride, berberine iodide, berberine sulfate, berberine tannate, Berberis aquifolium, Berberis aristata, Berberis vulgaris, Coptis chinensis, coptis, goldenthread, goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis, jiang tang san, Oregon grape, protoberberine, protoberberinium salts, tree turmeric.

 

Background

Berberine is a bitter-tasting, yellow, plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Berberine is present in the roots, rhizomes and stem bark of various plants including Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Coptis chinensis (coptis or goldenthread), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), and Berberis aristata (tree turmeric). Berberine has also been used historically as a dye, due to its yellow color.

Clinical trials have been conducted using berberine. There is some evidence to support its use in the treatment of trachomas (eye infections), bacterial diarrhea, and leishmaniasis (parasitic disease). Berberine has also shown antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths (worms), and chlamydia (STD). Future clinical research is warranted in these areas, as well as cardiovascular disease, skin disorders, and liver disorders.

Berberine has been shown to be safe in the majority of clinical trials. However, there is a potential for interaction between berberine and many prescription medications, and berberine should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to potential for adverse effects in the newborn.

 

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Heart failure: Preliminary research suggests that berberine, in addition to a standard prescription drug regimen for chronic congestive heart failure (CHF), may improve quality of life and heart function, and improve mortality. Further research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn in this area.
Grade: B

Chloroquine-resistant malaria: One trial has assessed the use of berberine in combination with pyrimethamine in the treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria. Well-designed clinical trials are still required in this field.
Grade: C

Diabetes (type 2): Historically, berberine has been suggested to aid in glycemic regulation. The safety and effectiveness of berberine for this indication remains unclear. More research is needed in this area.
Grade: C

Glaucoma: Preliminary study of berberine does not appear to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The safety and effectiveness of berberine for this indication remains unclear. Additional study is needed in this area.
Grade: C

H. pylori infection: Berberine has been compared with antibacterial drugs and ranitidine in stimulation of ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori clearance. Berberine was suggested to be less effective at ulcer healing than ranitidine, but potentially more effective at Helicobacter pylori clearance. Additional study is needed in this area.
Grade: C

Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol): Berberine may reduce triglycerides, serum cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. Higher quality trials are needed before berberine's cholesterol-lowering effect can be established.
Grade: C

Infectious diarrhea: Berberine has been evaluated as a treatment for infectious diarrhea, including choleric diarrhea, although the data is conflicting. Therefore, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy of berberine in the management of infectious diarrhea.
Grade: C

Parasitic infection (leishmania): The benefits of berberine in the treatment of leishmaniasis are widely accepted. Berberine is thought to be equally efficacious as the standard drug treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, antimonite (sulfide mineral), although limited study of this treatment probably limits its widespread use. Additional study is needed to confirm these results.
Grade: C

Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count): Berberine has been shown to significantly increase platelet production in individuals with thrombocytopenia both as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy. Additional human study is needed to confirm these results.
Grade: C

Trachoma (eye disease): Berberine has been found to possess antimicrobial properties, and there is limited evidence of anti-inflammatory properties as well. Preliminary evidence suggests that berberine eye preparations may be beneficial for trachoma. However, the safety and efficacy of berberine for this indication remains unclear.
Grade: C

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Alcoholic liver disease, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (typanosomes), antioxidant, antiviral, arthritis, bile secretion, burns, cancer, cardiovascular disease, dental conditions (root canal), dental hygiene, eye infections (general), fatigue, fever, headaches, high blood pressure, immunostimulant, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leukemia, leukopenia, liver disease (alcoholic), osteoporosis, respiratory disorders, sedative, skin infections, urinary tract infection, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, yeast infections.

 

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)

A wide range of doses has been studied for berberine, although no dose has been proven effective. Berberine is possibly safe when taken by mouth in doses up to 2 grams daily for eight weeks. For hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), 0.5 gram of berberine twice daily for three months has been used. For infectious diarrhea, berberine sulfate 400 milligrams as a single dose has been used. For thrombocytopenia, berberine bisulfate 5 milligrams, three times daily (20 minutes before meals) for 15 days has been used.

As an injection into the vein, berberine has been infused at a rate of 0.2 milligrams/kilogram per minute for 30 minutes. Injections should only be given under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.
For trachoma, 0.2% berberine eye drops have been studied for eight weeks.

 

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is no proven effective dose for berberine in children. Nonetheless, berberine is possibly safe when used in otherwise healthy children, as young as two months, at recommended doses for treatment of diarrhea up to six days.

 

Safety

DISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

 

Allergies

Avoided in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to berberine, to plants that contain berberine [Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Coptis chinensis (coptis or goldenthread), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), and Berberis aristata (tree turmeric)], or to members of the Berberidaceae family. Allergic reactions have been reported, with symptoms of vomiting, itching, and a feeling of faintness.

 

Side Effects and Warnings

Berberine has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, hypertension (high blood pressure), respiratory failure and paresthesias (abnormal sensations such as numbness or tingling); however, clinical evidence of such adverse effects is not prominent in the literature. Rare adverse effects including headache, skin irritation, facial flushing, headache, bradycardia (slowed heart rate) have also been reported with the use of berberine. Use cautiously when taking berberine for longer than eight weeks due to theoretical changes in bacterial gut flora.

Use cautiously in individuals with diabetes, as both human and animal studies indicate that berberine may decrease blood sugar levels. Also use cautiously in individuals with hypotension (low blood pressure), as berberine may have antihypertensive effects.

Patients with cardiovascular disease should also use caution as berberine has been associated with the development of ventricular arrhythmias in subjects with congestive heart failure.
Although not well studied in humans, berberine may also theoretically cause delays in small intestinal transit time or increase the risk of bleeding.

Berberine may cause abortion, eye or kidney irritation, nephritis (inflamed kidneys), dyspnea (difficulty breathing), flu-like symptoms, giddiness, lethargy, or liver toxicity.
Patients with leukopenia (abnormally low white blood cell count) should use cautiously due to the potential for development of leukopenia symptoms.
When injected under the skin, berberine may cause hyperpigmentation in the arm. Use berberine cautiously in individuals with high exposure to sunlight or artificial light due to potential for adverse phototoxic reactions.

Avoid in newborns due to potential for increase in free bilirubin, jaundice, and development of kernicterus (brain damage caused by severe newborn jaundice). Use berberine cautiously in children due to a lack of safety information.

 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Berberine is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence. Although not well studied in humans, berberine has been suggested to have anti-fertility, abortifacient (abortion inducing), and uterine stimulant activity.
Berberine may cause kernicterus (brain damage) when used in newborn jaundiced babies, such as bilirubin encephalopathy (degenerative brain disease).

Interactions with Drugs

Berberine may counter or prevent irregular heartbeat. Caution is advised when taking berberine with other agents that alter heart rate.
Berberine may decrease the efficacy of tetracycline; in theory, berberine may decrease the efficacy of other agents with antibacterial activity.

Berberine bisulfate may stimulate platelet formation, and berberine may have an antiheparin action. Thus, berberine may interact with certain drugs that increase the risk of bleeding, and reduce their effectiveness. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®). However, berberine may be hepatoprotective (liver protective) when administered before toxic doses of acetaminophen.

Berberine may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary. Berberine may decrease total and LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. Caution is advised in patients taking any cholesterol-lowering agents.

There may be additive hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) effects and bradycardia (slowed heart rate) when combining berberine with agents that lower blood pressure. Caution is advised.
Berberine may modulate the expression and function of PGP-170 in hepatoma cells. In theory, berberine may interact with antineoplastic agents.

Berberine and berberine sulfate have anti-inflammatory effects and may interact with COX-2 inhibitors. COX-2 inhibitor drugs include celecoxib (Celebrex®) and rofecoxib (Vioxx®).
Berberine may elevate the blood concentration of cyclosporin A. Caution is advised.
Berberine may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood, and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

Although not well studied in humans, there may be a potential for synergism between berberine chloride and fluconazole. Berberine and L-phenylephrine may have additive effects when administered concurrently. Furthermore, berberine may reverse the secretory properties of neostigmine (Prostigmin®).

Berberine and 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosurea (BCNU) may have additive effects.
Berberine may increase sensitization to acetylcholine's hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) effects.
P-glycoprotein may contribute to the poor intestinal absorption of berberine.
It is been purported that berberine may have sedative effects. Although human study is lacking, caution is advised.

Berberine may competitively inhibit the binding of yohimbine to platelets. Patients taking yohimbine should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, to check for interactions.

 

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Berberine may counter or prevent irregular heartbeat. Caution is advised when taking berberine with other herbs that alter heart rate. Berberine may decrease the efficacy of tetracycline; thus, in theory, berberine may decrease the efficacy of herbs with antibacterial activity.

Berberine bisulfate may stimulate platelet formation, and berberine may have an antiheparin action. Thus, berberine may interact with certain herbs that increase the risk of bleeding and reduce their effectiveness. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.

There may be additive hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) effects and bradycardia (slowed heart rate) when combining berberine with herbs that lower blood pressure. Caution is advised.
Berberine may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.

Berberine may decrease total and LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. Caution is advised in patients taking herbs or supplements with cholesterol-lowering effects, such as red yeast rice.
Concomitant use of berberine-containing herbs may increase the risk of berberine toxicity. Berberine-containing herbs include: bloodroot, goldenseal, celandine, Chinese goldthread, goldthread, Oregon grape (Mahonia species), amur cork tree, and Chinese corktree.

Berberine may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of other herbs or supplements may become too high in the blood. It may also alter the effects that other herbs or supplements possibly have on the P450 system.

Although not well studied in humans, berberine may have sedative effects.
Based on clinical study, tyramine-containing foods, such as wine, cheese, and chocolate, may have an interaction with berberine due to berberine's effect on decreasing levels of tyramine.
Berberine may competitively inhibit the binding of yohimbine to platelets. In addition, due to the antifertililty properties of berberine, use of yohimbe for fertility may not be effective.
Berberine may decrease the metabolism of vitamin B; therefore, the concomitant use of berberine with vitamin B should be avoided.

Source:

 http://www.healthline.com/natstandardcontent/berberine#4