Dr. Cameron Rink points to a picture of a brain that is currently undergoing a stroke, noting in particular the dark, feathery arteries that branch out across grayish brain tissue. Some of that tissue has faded to black around the vessels which are obstructed, and they very much resemble a city block that has lost power as the rest of the city remains well-lit.

"That part of the brain is not getting blood or oxygen and the cells are dying. There's not much we can do for a patient at this point and that's frustrating," Dr. Rink, a professor of surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said.

It is easy to understand all of his frustration. After more than two and a half decades and the failure of some 1,000 experimental neuroprotective medications, only aspirin and tPA, the so-called "clot-busting" drug, are all that traditional medical science is offering to patients after they've suffered a stroke. And of the two, tPA is only used in about 4 percent of all stroke cases, said the university in a press release.

Prevention is the key

But Dr. Rink has long been convinced that such "after the fact" approaches don't really do much to prevent disability and death. So, for the past dozen years, Rink has focused his research on stroke prevention, and it is finally beginning to pay dividends.

What's more, one of the most promising of treatments is a natural alternative.

In published studies involving animals, Dr. Rink and fellow researchers write that they have discovered that brain damage during a strike can be prevented by triggering the surrounding blood vessels to dilate, thereby redirecting blood flow around a blockage.

The blood vessel "redirection" is the result of 10 weeks' worth of supplementation with a little known type of vitamin E called tocotrienol, which appears to stimulate arteriogenesis, or "the remodeling of existing blood vessels that can instantaneously expand in response to a demand for oxygen-rich blood," the press release states. And the creation of a collateral blood supply can make a huge difference in the outcome of strokes.

"We know that people who have good collaterals have better recovery from strokes. We think that tocotrienol helps improve the function of collaterals, which would offer someone better protection from an initial or secondary stroke," said Dr. Rink, who is currently participating in a study of stroke survivors to see if the supplement can help prevent or reduce damage from secondary strokes -- which can often be more disabling and costly than the first stroke.

More from the university's release:

To find out exactly how tocotrienol is impacting blood vessel remodeling, Rink pioneered a technique using laser capture microdissection (LCM) to take microscopic pieces of brain tissue and blood vessels from the exact area where collaterals are called into action during a stroke.

The LCM samples also give Rink a chance to study micro-RNA activity during a stroke. Micro-RNAs are tiny snippets of non-coding DNA that turn off the production of proteins created by genes, proteins that give cells a range of different instructions. By identifying the micro-RNAs, Rink will be able to find out what's happening at a genetic level during a stroke, and how tocotrienol may be influencing those genes.

More funding for more studies

The tocotrienol, which is formed naturally in palm oil, is a vitamin E variant and is currently available as an oral nutritional supplement. And because it does not interfere with other stroke therapies or have any side effects, Dr. Rink says he believes that the vitamin could someday become a common stroke-prevention strategy.

The university said that Dr. Rink's research was given pilot funding from Ohio State's Center for Clinical and Translational Science in 2012 to study tocotrienol's impact on stroke. The center has been studying the supplement for the past two years.

His initial findings also led to an additional funding grant from the American Heart Association, and Dr. Rink would like to apply for an RO1 grant in the next two years after the publication of several more studies on animal and human subjects.

"The animal studies are helping inform the optimal tocotrienol dose and therapeutic window for our human studies, so it's a great example of how the basic research is informing clinical studies, and helping us move the research forward faster," Dr. Rink said.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/045506_vitamin_E_stroke_prevention_brain_health.html#ixzz3eYE6CjWt

Hypoglycemia is a condition that affects many people all over the world. It is a condition dealing with the blood sugar levels in the body. When people are diagnosed with hypoglycemia, it is because they have low blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar levels are the cause of the body being unable to produce enough sugars or maintain a proper sugar level to keep the body well fueled with energy to get daily tasks done.

What causes blood sugar levels to drop low?

Blood sugar levels drop for various reasons depending on your current health condition. Sometimes all it takes for blood sugar levels to drop drastically is vigorous exercise where a lot of calories and sugars are burned too fast. Other times low blood sugar is caused by poor diet, particular medications and illness, cancer or disease. The only way to figure out what is truly causing your blood sugar levels to drop low is to visit a doctor and have him or her run some blood test on you.

What are some of the signs of Hypoglycemia?

    Mild to Moderate Confusion
    Extreme Dizziness
    Trembling or Shaking Feelings
    Extreme Hunger with Headaches
    Pounding or Racing Heart Beat
    Pale Skin Color
    Excessive Sweating
     Extreme Weakness
    Anxiety and Panic Attacks
    Poor Coordination and Concentration
    Numbing Sensations in the Mouth and Tongue
    Blacking Out
    Suffering from Awful Nightmares Occasionally
    Aches and Pains Throughout the Body
    Muscle Aches and Weaknesses
    Digestive Issues

 What is typically the main cause of hypoglycemia?

Typically, the main cause of hypoglycemia is diabetes. Some of the particular types of medication used to help manage diabetes can sometimes be the culprit of low blood sugar levels. Some of those particular medications are known as sulfonylureas drugs such as:

    Amaryl
    Glucotrol
    Glyburide
    Micronase
    Gliclazide
    Diabinese
    Starlix
    Tolinase
    Orinase

What are some of the ways to control hypoglycemia?

    Hypoglycemia is often controlled by eating six small nourishing meals throughout the day. Those meals must contain simply sugars from fruits and vegetables as well as natural sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey and agave nectar.
    Eating a rich protein diet consisting of lean meats such as chicken or turkey, low-fat yogurts and cottage cheeses and nuts and seeds can also help.
    Staying well hydrated is also essential for keeping the blood flowing properly and keeping sugar levels stabilized.
    It is also essential to do gentle workouts with this particular condition and eat a light snack before and after working out so levels do not have the chance to drop drastically causing you severe side effects such as dizziness and passing out.
    Sometimes even eating bedtime snacks before falling asleep can prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too low during the nighttime causing you to feel sick and weak in the morning.There are some herbal remedies you can try:
    Licorice: The root of the licorice is used to treat many common health conditions including hypoglycemia. It has properties like anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, and it’s considered that when taken it in proper amounts, licorice root has ability to control the blood sugar levels by balancing the adrenal gland production.
    Green Tea: Green tea alleviates the glutamine activity, thus helps in maintaining proper levels of the blood sugar. Drink it 2-3 times a day, as it is a great source of anti-oxidants and is considered that it has no side effects.
    Other herbal remedies that may be successful in balancing your low blood glucose levels include ginseng, raspberry leaves, gentian root dandelion and gymnema.

Notes

If you feel like your blood sugar levels are dropping drastically it is important to stop immediately and get some sugars into your bloodstream immediately by:

    Consuming a few tablespoons of honey
    Drinking organic fruit juice
    Snacking on a piece of fruit or dried fruit snacks
    Having a cup of yogurt
    Sipping on a cup of milk
    Having a small meal
     Eating a protein bar

Do not drive or do anything until you get your blood sugar levels back under control because you will just end up feeling worse and causing injury to yourself or others. Once your blood sugar levels are stabilized simply keep snacking until you feel good again and then go about your daily life doing all the tasks that you need to get finished up.

Acne is a skin condition can be caused by a variety of nutritional deficiencies, as well as food allergies food intolerances and fungal infections. Natural remedies for acne include vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C and herbs like tea tree oil. Acne occurs when the skin becomes inflamed. Oil glands secrete sebum that is a normal component of skin lubrication, however when the glands produce too much oil, the pores become blocked and blackheads and pimples occur. The pores then become filled with bacteria, which causes inflammation and redness. Acne occurs commonly during the teen years because of the increase of hormones during this time. However, this type of acne usually resolves itself by the time people are 30 years old. Acne usually occurs on foreheads, cheeks, chins, noses, and sometimes on backs or torsos. Acne can cause whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and inflamed lesions on the skin, which can leave scars. Cysts can also occur, which are inflamed lesions that form under the skin.

Causes of the excess sebum vary and can include any form of inflammation or blood sugar irregularity. Hormonal imbalances can also cause acne, because it causes increased sebum production.

Blood sugar imbalances, or insulin resistance, create an inflammatory cycle that leads to acne as well. Some pharmaceutical drugs also can lead to acne, especially oral contraceptives, steroids, Phenobarbital, excess iodine, and lithium. Those with a family history of acne are more at risk for the condition. Food allergies and fungal infections, such as Candida, also can cause acne.

Fat consumed in the diet goes into the bloodstream and reduces the body's ability to regulate insulin. Air pollution or exposure to second-hand smoke can cause acne, as can food allergies. White sugar and other chemical additives in foods find their way to the skin and cause acne as well.

Hygiene to treat acne
Washing the face twice a day is recommended for those with acne. Mild cleansers are advised, as strong soap or scrubbing the skin can make the condition worse. Use of water-based skin care may help alleviate the clogging of pores. Clothing, such as headbands or collared shirts, can encourage acne to develop.

Vitamins to treat acne
Studies have shown that adding zinc to the diet may reduce the appearance of acne. The dosage used was 30 mg twice a day for one month. Niacinamide as a 4% gel may also be useful. Vitamin C is also important for skin health. L-carnitine has been found helpful but can interfere with some pharmaceutical medications, such as Coumadin. Vitamin A, another helpful nutrient for skincare, can cause toxic reactions from overdosing, so a doctor's recommendation is advised.

Herbal remedies for acne
Herbal remedies may help reduce the appearance of acne as well. The herb Guggul from the Commiphora wightii, plant, taken internally, has shown some effectiveness, as has the use of tea tree oil externally. Tea tree, or melaleuca alternifolia in a 5% gel can be applied to the skin to reduce inflammation. Studies reported that the effects of the gel were similar to using benzoyl peroxide lotion.

Previous research included another two-year study, published in 2010 in Neurology, that found that vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folic acid supplements did not improve the mental abilities of men 75 and older. Eight years after the study ended, though, the men had a small decrease in their risk of cognitive impairment, though it was not a significant change.

Certain people taking the supplements in the new long-term study did experience some small positive effects. One analysis of the data found that people with low blood levels of holotranscobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12, improved their thinking speed with the vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements.

 

“This agrees with the entire clinical picture of B12-related to memory trouble,” said Zwerling.

The supplements given to both groups in the new study also included 15 micrograms of vitamin D3, which may improve brain function at high levels. It is possible that vitamin D3 diluted the effects of the other supplements on mental performance, although it could have simply eliminated any vitamin D3 deficiency among the participants.

“Individuals, especially the elderly, differ in their metabolism of vitamin D and susceptibility to vitamin D deficiency,” said Zwerling. “Overall, the use of D3 just ‘evened the playing ground’ in a population known to have high rates of deficiency.”

Although this new study failed to demonstrate the mental benefits of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements, vitamin B12 remains essential for overall health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in three American adults suffers from high blood pressure. This is a problem of great concern, since this condition puts people at higher risk for even more serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes and is considered the number one risk factor for fatal heart attacks. While there are a number of prescription medications available to help treat high blood pressure, they all come with unwanted side effects ranging from the mild (dizziness when standing) to the severe (permanent kidney damage).

There are however, more natural options that people with high blood pressure have to treat this condition. Extract of certain plants, for instance, have been found to be extremely beneficial to normalize blood pressure levels. Read on to find out more about how these extracts can improve cardiac health.

Olive leaf extract
Olive leaf extract contains compounds called secoiridoid glycosides. These compounds, in the body, react with the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), with the result that angiotensin is not able to cause the blood vessels to constrict and the result is a wider blood vessel and lower blood pressure. In short, these act much like the prescription drug group called ACE inhibitors, but also can lower cholesterol. In one study, participants taking olive leaf extract showed, at the end of eight weeks, a drop of 13mn Hg in systolic blood pressure (the upper number) and 3mm Hg in the diastolic blood pressure (the lower number).

Celery seed extract
Celery seed extract is another natural way to lower the blood pressure; it acts much like the drug group calcium channel blockers. These act different than ACE inhibitors and are able to lower the blood pressure through dilating (widening) the arteries. There appear to be no serious side effects to this extract, and in one clinical trial, patients with mild to moderate high blood pressure took a dosage of 75 mg of this extract every day and on average, at the end of the study, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped around eight points.

Garlic extract
It is not surprising that garlic, long known for its positive effects on the heart, should be able to help treat blood pressure as well. One clinical trial studied patients whose blood pressure was treated but uncontrolled and found that, with use of garlic extract supplements, participants showed as much improvement in their blood pressure at the end of 12 weeks as would have been expected if they had been taking front-line drugs.

In conclusion, then, before considering traditional treatment for blood pressure and risking the unwanted side effects, consult with a naturopath or similar practitioner to discuss these and other natural remedies for normalized blood pressure that will improve cardiac health without unintended consequences like kidney damage or other serious complications.