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.
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So you've decided to go cold turkey? You can white knuckle it and try to make it through on your own, or you can relieve much of the stress from withdrawals with the following supplements.
Vitamins and minerals to take to help quit smoking:
Vitamin C - 1,000 mg twice daily (remember to titrate down if you stop taking vitamin C)
B Complex vitamins - 1 or 2 a day (never take one B vitamin for any length of time - it will make you deficient in the others)
Calcium and magnesium - once a day
Vitamin C will help you flush toxins and nicotine from the body. This powerful antioxidant helps flush heavy metals from your body, including cadmium and lead.
Withdrawals are difficult and you will be irritable, to say the least. B vitamins are nature's valium. They will help you sleep and calm your nerves. It is important to take a high quality B complex. Many people choose B6 or B12 for stress relief. But B vitamins work together and they need one another to work their best. In addition, studies have shown that any long term use of one B vitamin can cause a deficiency in another. So always take B vitamins in a B complex.
Calcium and magnesium work together. Magnesium is very calming. Many of us are deficient in magnesium. Soaking in epsom salts will also help you to detox as it floods your cells with magnesium. Take a 40 minute soak using 1 cup of epsom salts per 100 lbs of body weight. The first 20 minutes releases toxins. During the second 20 minutes, you will absorb magnesium. At the end of that time you will be able to taste it. This is a sign that all of your tissues have soaked up magnesium.
Diet to help you stop smoking
There is a strong relationship between nicotine and blood sugar. When we withdraw nicotine, our blood sugar is low. This is what causes fatigue and sugar cravings when you quit smoking. If you resort to sugar for a fast boost, you will start a cycle of sugar highs and crashes that will only make your cravings worse.
Start with a healthy diet. A truly healthy diet is a whole foods diet with a wide variety of nutrient dense foods. Your diet should consist of 80% raw, organic, fresh produce - more fruits than vegetables.
When you are first withdrawing from nicotine, focus on healthy protein and produce. Avoid starches and simple carbs. For the first three days of withdrawals, however, you may need a little boost of sugar when those cravings hit. Drink a cup of fruit juice, but follow it twenty minutes later with protein.
Snack on veggies throughout the day along with whole fruits. And drink plenty of liquids. Cranberry lemonade is a great detox drink. See the link below for the recipe. A gallon a day, sipped throughout the day will help flush the toxins from your body and reduce cravings.
Conclusion
You can do this. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can't stop because you have tried before and failed. It doesn't matter if you have failed a hundred times. Just do it. You can win.
For more information, be sure to check out Natural Remedies for Anxiety, and How to Quit Smoking Naturally and http://www.naturalnews.com.
A new study published in The Clinical Journal of Pain found that obese individuals who have knee osteoarthritis and healthy vitamin D levels demonstrated higher functional performance than obese participants with insufficient vitamin D levels.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 20 million people in the United States. It occurs when the protective cartilage at the end of your bones wears down as you age. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects joints in your hips, spine, hands, and knees.
Obesity is one of the most significant and modifiable risk factor for osteoarthritis. Due to the increasing rate of obese older adults, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis is also rising.
Vitamin D levels, obesity, and aging are all associated with adverse health outcomes, including chronic pain. Researchers recently investigated the influence of vitamin D levels and obesity on knee arthritis pain and functional performance.
The researchers assessed the vitamin D levels, functional performance, and pain of 256 middle-aged and older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The participants provided a self-report of knee pain and completed functional performance tasks that included balancing, walking and rising from a sitting position to a standing position.
The researchers found healthy vitamin D levels were significantly associated with less knee osteoarthritis pain compared to participants with deficient or insufficient levels, regardless of obesity status. Those with healthy vitamin D levels could also walk, balance and rise from sitting to standing better than obese participants with insufficient levels.
Lead researcher, Toni Glover, stated, “Vitamin D is inexpensive, available over-the-counter and toxicity is fairly rare.”
“Older obese patients with chronic pain should discuss their vitamin D status with their primary care provider. If it’s low, take a supplement and get judicious sun exposure.”
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.
We've all had it drilled into us: citrus fruits are the source for vitamin C. But citrus fruits aren't the only source. They aren't even the best source! The amount of vitamin C in one serving of papaya, strawberries, pineapple, bell pepper, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts exceeds the amount of vitamin C in a medium orange.
Many fruits are high in vitamin C. Here is a list from The World's Healthiest Foods of the fruits and vegetables with 50% or more of the daily requirement of vitamin C in each serving.
Fruits Highest in Vitamin C
Papaya (one medium) - 224% (Papaya seeds can be dried and used like black pepper; makes great enzyme supplement)
Strawberries (one cup) - 113%
Pineapple (one cup) - 105%
Oranges (one medium) - 93%
Kiwi - (1 - 2 in) 85% (Eat the peels!)
Cantaloupe (1 cup) - 78%
Grapefruit (1/2) - 59%
What is surprising is the number of vegetables that meet the criteria.
Vegetables highest in vitamin C
Bell Peppers (1 cup red or yellow) - 157% (green peppers are unripe peppers)
Broccoli (1 cup) - 135%
Brussels sprouts (1 cup) - 129%
Cauliflower (1 cup) - 73%
Kale (1 cup) - 71%
Cabbage (1 cup) - 69%
Bok Choy (1 cup) - 59%
Parsley (1 cup) - 54%
Turnip greens (1 cup) - 53%
Sweet potato (1 cup) - 52%
Vitamin C is needed for the immune system, but that is not its only claim to fame. Vitamin C is needed for many physiological functions. It is an anti-oxidant. It is a co-factor for eight enzymes, thereby aiding in developing and maintaining scar tissue, blood vessels, cartilage, hormonal stability, biosynthesis of neurotransmitters, and transport of fatty acids into mitochondria.
So how can you mix and match some of the veggies and fruits above to deliver a power dose of vitamin C to your diet? A fruit salad? Yeah, that's an easy way. But let's look at a more creative recipe.
Beautiful and delicious kale salad
1 bunch of kale
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 red bell pepper
1 tart apple
handful of walnuts
handful of raisins
1 lime
honey to taste
Tear the kale into edible pieces, saving the stems for another recipe or thinly slicing them for this salad.
Sprinkle olive oil over the leaves (use a little more or a little less as needed) and massage the oil into the leaves with both hands until the leaves become soft and pliant.
Add sliced red pepper, chopped apples, raisins, and walnuts.
Juice one lime. Add honey to taste and whisk. Pour over salad and mix well.
Enjoy!
Many people are aware that vitamin B12 status declines during aging, as millions of seniors fall prey to a decline in this critical nutrient. Vitamin B12 circulating in the blood declines in the elderly due to absorption problems in the digestive tract leading to poor uptake by body tissues, especially the brain. Researchers publishing in the journal Neurology have established a definitive link between poor vitamin B12 levels and brain shrinkage, a hallmark of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's dementia. Supplementation with the biologically active form of the B vitamin may help prevent shrinkage and preserve learning capabilities and memory functions as we age.
The study involved 121 participants from the Chicago Health and Aging Project who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for over a period of four and a half years. Additionally, each member of the study had blood drawn to measure levels of vitamin B12 and B12-related markers that can indicate a B12 deficiency. The same subjects took tests measuring their memory and other cognitive skills.
Vitamin B12 Deficiencies Linked to Shrinking Brain Volume and Cognitive Decline Among Elderly
MRI scans were analyzed to measure total brain volume and to look for other signs of brain damage. The tests included seven measures of episodic memory, two measures of visual spatial ability and perceptual organization, two measures of perceptual speed, two measures of semantic memory, and three measures of working memory. Stored blood samples were analyzed for vitamin B12 and homocysteine, a byproduct of metabolism associated with dementia, cognitive decline and coronary artery disease.
Researchers determined that having high levels of four of five markers for vitamin B12 deficiency was associated with having lower scores on the cognitive tests and smaller total brain volume. Indicators of vitamin B12 insufficiency contributed to poor global cognitive test scores and a decrease in brain volume revealed by MRI findings compared to those with better B12 status. Higher levels of the vitamin B12 markers were linked to decreased total brain volume. Elevated homocysteine levels were indicative of greater white matter volume and elevated risk of cerebrovascular events.
Lead researcher, Dr. Christine Tangney concluded "Our findings suggest that ... vitamin B12 deficiency, may affect cognition by reducing total brain volume whereas the effect of homocysteine on cognition may be mediated through increased white matter hyperintensity volume and cerebral infarcts." Vitamin B12 deficiency among the elderly is a significant cause for concern and may very well be a key contributor to the explosion of Alzheimer's disease cases over the past 50 years. Nutritionists recommend supplementing with the bioactive form of B12 known as methylcobalamin (1 to 5 mg per day taken sublingually) to regulate circulating levels of this critical brain nutrient.
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.
Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder characterized by the inability to tell reality from imagination, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Symptoms are broken down into two types called "positive symptoms," which include hallucinations and delusions, and "negative symptoms" which include social withdrawal, apathy, and a lack of emotional expressiveness. While drugs have been found to help many with the positive type of symptoms, too often there's no help for the negative variety - until now. A new study has found that taking dietary supplements folate and vitamin B12 can alleviate these symptoms in some patients.
In a new placebo-controlled study of 140 patients with schizophrenia, a research team based at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) found improvement across all participants when folate and B12 were added to their regular treatments. But the results were most significant in those carrying specific variants in genes involved with folate metabolism.
The report has just been published in JAMA Psychiatry (formerly Archives of General Psychiatry) online. It's the first study designed specifically to investigate whether supplementation with folate and B12 (which increases the effects of folate) can treat the symptoms of schizophrenia.
"The symptoms of schizophrenia are complex, and antipsychotic medications provide no relief for some of the most disabling parts of the illness. These include negative symptoms, which can be particularly devastating," Joshua Roffman, MD, MMSc, of the MGH Department of Psychiatry, corresponding author of the JAMA Psychiatry paper, said in a media statement.
"Our finding that folate plus vitamin B12 supplementation can improve negative symptoms opens a new potential avenue for treatment of schizophrenia. Because treatment effects differed based on which genetic variants were present in each participant, the results also support a personalized medical approach to treating schizophrenia."
So why would the essential nutrient folate (often found in supplements in the folic acid form) have a positive impact on the devastating condition known as schizophrenia? In their paper, the researchers note that folate is necessary for the synthesis of DNA and neurotransmitters and it plays a role in the control of gene expression. Previous studies have linked folate deficiency during pregnancy with an increased risk of schizophrenia among offspring. Earlier research by members of the MGH-based team found low blood folate levels were associated with the more severe, negative symptoms among patients with schizophrenia.
"Folate plays a critical role in DNA methylation, which regulates gene expression, so it's plausible that its effects on negative symptoms act through gene expression changes," Dr. Roffman, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, explained in a media statement. "Participants with the low-functioning FOLH1 variant (a gene involved in folate metabolism) might eventually show a benefit of folate supplementation if treated for a longer period of time, but that needs to be investigated in future studies."
"Understanding more about the basic neural mechanisms of folate in patients with schizophrenia could help us generate more targeted and effective interventions to reduce and possibly even prevent symptoms."
( Sweet potatoes, also commonly labeled as yams, are an excellent and inexpensive staple to have on hand. These deep orange-fleshed nutritional powerhouses add several important components to the diet. Their health and weight management benefits far exceed the nutritional value found in ordinary white and yellow fleshed potatoes.
Superior fiber content
Sweet potatoes contain almost twice as much fiber as other types of potatoes. Contributing close to 7 grams of fiber per serving, they make an excellent starchy addition to any meal. The high fiber content gives them a "slow burning" quality. This basically means their caloric energy is used more slowly and efficiently than a low-fiber carbohydrate.
Heart-healthy
They contain a large amount of vitamin B6. This vitamin is crucial in breaking down a substance called homocysteine, which contributes to hardening of the arteries and blood vessels. Vitamin B6 helps keep the walls of these important blood passageways flexible and healthy which allows blood to flow freely.
In addition, sweet potatoes contain high amounts of potassium. Potassium plays an important role in lowering blood pressure by ridding the body of excess sodium and regulating fluid balance. It is also an important electrolyte that helps regulate the natural rhythm of the heart, and maintains normal function of the brain and central nervous system.
Rich in beta-carotene
Beta-carotene or vitamin A is an important antioxidant. One medium sweet potato provides your body with the complete recommended daily allowance of vitamin A and then some. Vitamin A is useful in the prevention of several different types of cancer as it is one of the most potent antioxidants out there.
Beta-carotene also helps to internally protect your skin from sun damage by both deflecting and repairing cell damage caused by excessive UV exposure. It also is an excellent nutrient for eye health and has been linked to prevention of vision loss and macular degeneration.
A great source of manganese
Manganese is a little-discussed trace mineral that has some great health benefits. It is a pivotal component in the metabolism of carbohydrates which helps support healthy blood sugar levels. This can help stabilize the appetite for hours as opposed to the temporary satisfaction that comes with most other carbohydrates.
It also is a cofactor in enzymes that play an important role in the generation of energy as well as the efficient utilization of antioxidants. It is used for the treatment of anemia and is useful as a treatment for several premenstrual symptoms in women as well.
Rich in vitamins C and E
As if being one of the top vegetable sources of beta-carotene weren't enough, sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins C and E. These are potent antioxidant vitamins that play an important role in disease prevention and longevity.
Both vitamins also play a huge role in the health and beauty of your skin and hair, making them popular supplements. The combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C in one food makes the sweet potato one heck of a "beauty food". These nutrients all contribute to a healthy, glowing complexion and vibrant hair.
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.
In a new study from Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), researchers have used human pluripotent stem cells to generate new hair. The study represents the first step toward the development of a cell-based treatment for people with hair loss. In the United States alone, more than 40 million men and 21 million women are affected by hair loss. The research was published online in PLOS One yesterday.
"We have developed a method using human pluripotent stem cells to create new cells capable of initiating human hair growth. The method is a marked improvement over current methods that rely on transplanting existing hair follicles from one part of the head to another," said Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., associate professor in the Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program at Sanford-Burnham. "Our stem cell method provides an unlimited source of cells from the patient for transplantation and isn't limited by the availability of existing hair follicles."
The research team developed a protocol that coaxed human pluripotent stem cells to become dermal papilla cells. They are a unique population of cells that regulate hair-follicle formation and growth cycle. Human dermal papilla cells on their own are not suitable for hair transplants because they cannot be obtained in necessary amounts and rapidly lose their ability to induce hair-follicle formation in culture.
"In adults, dermal papilla cells cannot be readily amplified outside of the body and they quickly lose their hair-inducing properties," said Terskikh. "We developed a protocol to drive human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into dermal papilla cells and confirmed their ability to induce hair growth when transplanted into mice."
"Our next step is to transplant human dermal papilla cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells back into human subjects," said Terskikh. "We are currently seeking partnerships to implement this final step."
A new study published in JAMA finds that a combination of folic acid supplementation and hypertension medication may be an effective way to reduce the risk of first stroke among adults with high blood pressure.
Vitamin supplements
In people with high blood pressure, folic acid supplementation alongside a common hypertension medication was found to reduce first-time stroke risk.
Each year, more than 795,000 people in the US have a stroke. Of these, around 610,000 are first-time strokes.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a known risk factor for stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 8 in 10 first-time strokes are among people with high blood pressure.
Past studies looking at the effects of folic acid supplementation for prevention of cardiovascular disease have indicated that the vitamin may be effective for reducing stroke risk. But the investigators of this latest research - including Dr. Yong Huo of Peking University First Hospital in Beijing, China - say no studies have had stroke as the primary outcome, making it difficult to make a firm connection between the two.
As such, the team set out to assess the link between folic acid supplementation and stroke risk among 20,702 adults from China aged 45-75 years. All adults had hypertension, but they had no history of stroke or heart attack at study baseline.
Variations in the MTHFR C677T genotypes (CC, CT or TT) - which can affect folate levels - were assessed among participants, and their folate levels were measured at study baseline.
Between May 2008 and August 2013, participants were randomized to receive either 10 mg of enalapril - a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure - and 8 mg of folic acid daily, or a daily 10 mg dose of enalapril alone.
Folic acid is a B vitamin that the body needs for healthy cell production. A lack of folic acid can lead to anemia and other health complications. It is highly recommended that women increase their intake of folic acid prior to and during pregnancy, as studies have suggested it can significantly reduce the risk of major birth defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Treatment with folic acid and enalapril reduced stroke risk by 21%
During the median 4.5-year follow-up period, 282 (2.7%) participants who were treated with both enalapril and folic acid had a first stroke, compared with 355 (3.4%) participants treated with enalapril.
The team calculated that participants treated with both enalapril and folic acid were at 21% lower risk of stroke, compared with participants treated with enalapril alone. Treatment with enalapril and folic acid also represented a 0.7% reduction in absolute risk of first-time stroke, the researchers found.
A lower relative risk of ischemic stroke was also identified among participants treated with enalapril and folic acid, and these participants were also at lower risk of combinations of cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death.
The team found that participants with TT genotypes were most likely to benefit from combination treatment with enalapril and folic acid, as were participants who had low folate levels at study baseline.
A diet consisting of a variety of raw fresh vegetables is the best prevention and also a potential cure for cancer, depending on how far the cancer has progressed and how easily the body can digest and properly assimilate nutrition. Berries, grapes, broccoli, leafy greens, sprouts, avocados, red and yellow peppers, red cabbage, dandelion, beets, and many more foods have been proven in numerous scientific studies to not only prevent, but to also destroy, cancer cells. If we did research on every single piece of produce we eat, we'd probably find that most of them, if not all of them, prevent and fight cancer in some way or another. This is what the modern diet is missing, fresh raw produce. Early humans ate pounds of it a day, all day, every day. Whether you have cancer now, or are just trying to prevent it, cut out the refined and processed foods, and eat more produce.
Herbs and Spices
Garlic, oregano, cloves, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and ginger have been shown in multiple studies to fight cancer. Spice up your meals, especially those big salads. Fresh raw produce works synergistically with herbs and spices. In other words, the combination of garlic, oregano, and a bunch of vegetables is more powerful than garlic and/or oregano alone. Make big salads with lots of vegetables and add in fresh herbs and spices.Speaking of combinations, turmeric and black pepper make for a powerful cancer-killing duo. Most of you have heard of the incredible benefits of turmeric and it's cancer-killing properties. Turmeric is known to actually outperform many pharmaceutical drugs for various diseases. The only problem with turmeric is that the beneficial component to which all the hoopla is about, curcumin, is not easily absorbed by the body. Black pepper contains piperine, a chemical with powerful antioxidant properties. Pepper and turmeric together allow the body to absorb more turmeric. Reports range from a 200% increase to over 2,000%! It's no coincidence that two of the main ingredients in curry powder are black pepper and turmeric. Come to think of it, ginger and cinnamon, two other powerhouse herbs known to fight cancer, are also almost always found in curry spice blends as well. It's no wonder...
Herbal Supplements, Vitamins, and Minerals
Getting a wide range of vitamins and minerals should be easy when you're eating lots of produce, but it's not always that simple. Our soil is so degraded, even organic produce doesn't have the nutrition it used to have. If you cannot grow your own produce in the most optimum conditions with the best soil, we recommend a primarily food-based nutrition powder from a source you know and trust. That's not "whole food sourced"; we mean actual food, like rose hips, lemon peels, chlorella, etc. And when these nutrition formulas are done right, the enzymes are left intact. There are a ton of herbal tinctures, extracts, and other supplements that kill cancer cells. Echinacea, oil of oregano, clove oil, goldenseal, barberry, astragalus, pau d'arco, red clover, and skullcap are a few of the many plant based herbal supplements that kill cancer cells. Study after study shows that many of the right plants and plant extracts have more power to kill off cancer cells than conventional treatments. Wormwood is a very powerful herb that is often used to kill parasites and Candida. Wormwood, more specifically, wormwood extract, kills cancer cells.
Kill 98% Of All Cancer Cells In Less Than 24 Hours
A new study shows that a derivative of the wormwood plant, artemesinin, turns deadly in the presence of iron. Breast cancer cells have high levels of iron. When artemesinin senses these higher than usual levels of iron, it destroys the cancer cells with little damage to the surrounding healthy cells. This results in an herbal killing machine that killed 98% of the breast cancer cells present within 16 hours! Although this study is in its first phase in a lab with petri dishes, artemesinin tablets are "widely and successfully" used to fight malaria for the same reason, the parasite responsible for malaria uptakes a large amount of iron, just like the breast cancer cells. Artemesinin zeros in on the iron and destroys the parasite.Wormwood is known to be one of the best herbs for killing a number of parasites, and it is anti-microbial and anti-fungal, making wormwood a great addition for people who need to heal their gut.
A common nutritional supplement may be part of the magic in improving the survival rates of babies born with heart defects, researchers report.
Carnitine, a compound that helps transport fat inside the cell powerhouse where it can be used for energy production, is currently used for purposes ranging from weight loss to chest pain.
New research shows it appears to normalize the blood vessel dysfunction that can accompany congenital heart defects and linger even after corrective surgery, said Dr. Stephen M. Black, cell and molecular physiologist at the Vascular Biology Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University.
"My hope is this is going to have a major, major impact on survival of babies," Black said. About half the babies born with heart defects have excessive, continuous high pressure on their lungs from misdirected blood flow. Early surgery can prevent full-blown pulmonary vascular disease, but scientists are finding more subtle disruptions in the signaling inside blood vessels walls that can be problematic - even deadly - up to 72 hours after surgery.
The good news is the changes are reversible and that carnitine speeds recovery and can even prevent the damage in a lamb model of these human heart defects, according to studies published in the journal Pediatric Research.
Normally, most blood flow bypasses the lungs in utero when the placenta provides blood and oxygen for the baby. Baby's first breaths naturally expand the lungs and blood vessels, activating a process inside the lining of vessels that enables them to accommodate the initial blood surge, then reduce pressure quickly, dramatically and permanently.
This natural transition doesn't occur when heart defects misdirect blood flow. "It's kind of like a chronic fetal-to-newborn transition," said Black, the study's corresponding author. Lungs get pounded with about three times the normal flow and, even when surgeries are done as early as possible to repair the defect, correct blood flow and protect the lungs, the 20 percent death rates from acute pulmonary hypertension have remained unchanged for a decade. "That's 1 in 5 kid (with this condition)," Black said.
Left unchecked, the barrage thickens blood vessels, making them unresponsive, much like those of an elderly individual who has lived for years with uncontrolled high blood pressure. The comparatively brief periods of pounding these babies experience impairs the ability of the endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, to produce nitric oxide, a major dilator of blood vessels.
The shear force disrupts carnitine homeostasis, weakens the mitochondria (the cell powerhouse) and impairs nitric oxide production. To make bad matters worse, the precursor to nitric oxide instead makes more peroxynitrite, prompting endothelial cells to grow and thickening blood vessels. Black was also corresponding author of a recent study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry that showed peroxynitrite does this by turning on the cell survival protein kinase Akt1.
The new study indicates that even without fixing the heart defect, high daily doses of carnitine in the first four weeks of life can prevent endothelial dysfunction. In fact, the laboratory lambs' ability to make nitric oxide is preserved even without the benefit of heart surgery and the responses to the chemical activity that enables blood vessel dilation is normalized, Black said.
(NaturalNews) The human immune system is a remarkable network of biological structures and processes. When functioning properly, it has the ability to remember diseases that it has previously encountered for more efficient removal, trigger immediate responses to emergencies through its advanced communication systems and much more.
Despite its sophistication, however, the immune system is notoriously fragile, and even the healthiest of us can suffer from compromised immunity from time to time. During these difficult periods, when we're at a far greater risk of infection than usual, it is a good idea to supplement our diets with herbs that are well-known for their immune-boosting properties. Three of the best of these herbs are listed below.
Astragalus
Astragalus is a perennial plant native to the northern and eastern regions of China, as well as Korea and Mongolia. Its antioxidant-rich root, which resembles a garlic bulb, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to strengthen the body against disease. Moreover, Astragalus's adaptogenic qualities make it effective at fighting disease as well.
Astragalus has been well-studied in the West, and numerous studies confirm its alleged immunity-boosting properties. A study published in Cellular Immunology in 2011, for instance, found that Astragalus polysaccharides could stimulate the body's production of macrophages (white blood cells that tackle foreign invaders and cancer cells).(1) A later study, published in Microbial Pathogenesis in January 2014, also discovered that Astragalus polysaccharides could regulate the production of T cells (white blood cells that defend the body from pathogens) in infected mice.(2)
Echinacea
Echinacea is a flowering plant that grows throughout North America and Europe. It was immensely popular in its native lands as an immunity booster and general "cure-all" during the 18th and 19th centuries, but its use began to decline after the advent of antibiotics. Fortunately, the West -- prompted by growing research into its health benefits -- seems to have rediscovered Echinacea in recent decades.
Studies into Echinacea's immunity-boosting properties are considerable, and new research is being published every month. For example, a study featured in International Immunopharmacology in March 2014 found that Echinacea polysaccharides could regulate T cell cytokine response, thus enhancing the body's defenses against infection.(3) These results were reinforced by another study published one month later in Natural Product Communications, which concluded that Echinacea preparations can bolster immunity by decreasing the "number and function" of regulatory T cells.(4)
Cat's claw
Cat's claw is a woody vine native to the Amazon Rainforest of South America. While the indigenous people of Central and South America have used cat's claw -- which is named after its hook-like thorns -- to treat a wide variety of medical conditions, it is especially revered for its ability to strengthen immune function.
Few studies have been conducted on cat's claw compared to Astragalus and Echinacea, but the limited amount of research we currently possess is promising. A study published in Phytotherapy Research in August 2011, for example, discovered that cat's claw extracts could boost immunity by modulating "distinct patterns of the immune system in a dose-dependent manner." (5) A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in March 2007 also listed cat's claw as one of three herbs (the others being saw palmetto and Echinacea) that could regulate immune function by activating disease-fighting macrophages.