Craig Hitchens Therapies - Health Online

Asthma is a respiratory condition that, unfortunately, is becoming more common the world over. Today there are over 100 million sufferers world wide, and this figure is on the rise to the tune of 50% every decade.

Asthma can be defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, that is characterized by spasm of the bronchi (airway tubes)with inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes leading to an over production of thick phlegm in the lung and airways.

This phlegm sets off a response within the body characterized by typical asthma symptoms such as chronic coughing (especially at night), wheezing, difficulty in breathing and the difficult expectoration of thick, sticky phlegm. If not treated immediately, breathing can be impeded to the point of respiratory failure.

There are certain factors that can predispose one to having asthma. A family history of asthma or some history of allergies, definitely increases your chances of having asthma.

If you were weaned and introduced to solid food at an early age (6 months or less)the chances of you having food allergies and possibly asthma as a consequence increases dramatically. This is due to an immature digestive system being asked to digest foods it is not capable of at that time.

This places a significant stress on the under developed immune system of the baby that can lead to allergies and asthma.

Another common food related factor are food additives such as food colorings and preservatives. These factors are especially problematic for an asthma sufferer as they are in virtually everything that we eat and drink. This places a cumulative daily stress on the already stressed immune system of the asthma sufferer.

Some other dietary factors worth considering are, excessive salt intake and its connection to asthma and asthma mortality rates and dairy products which are notorious for their ability to produce phlegm.

And then there are the obvious airborne environmental allergens that we are forced to contend with. Dust, dust mites, pollens, cockroach waste and pet hair as well as allergens like pesticides (to kill the cockroaches) cleaning chemicals, perfumes and fuels (gas, petrol) pollution (air, water). The list is endless.

And if that is not enough asthma can occur as a result of excessive exercise, cold temperature, sudden emotional upset and can also be a part of a viral infection, that can occur during the virus as well as post viral.

Treatment for asthma is based around a treatment program that attempts to lessen the symptoms medicinally, while simultaneously removing whatever allergy provoking substances are in the asthmatics environment.

Most people these days look to a combination of conventional medicine (puffers for example) and alternative/herbal medicine. The combination works especially well, with many traditional herbs such as Ephedra and Gingko Biloba having a long tradition of effectively treating asthma and respiratory disorders.

As far as removing asthma causing substances from the environment, this can be a difficult. The obvious methods revolve around adequate and appropriate cleaning. Appropriate cleaning would be cleaning that doesn’t complicate things by introducing another toxic substance into the picture.

Some mould cleaners are known to irritate allergy and asthma sufferers, yet we need to remove the mould from the asthmatics environment.

Fortunately these days there are many products that have been created that take this into account. Always use hypo-allergenic cleaning products.

Dust must be removed. Regular vacuuming is a must. Preferably with a vacuum fitted with an air filter that will stop “micro dust” being put back into the air as you vacuum.

An air filtration system or at least a portable air filter would also help considerably.

Pets should never be allowed in the bedroom, and ideally not in the house, although many asthma sufferers are more likely to put up with their symptoms rather than cast out their pets.

Dietary measures that can help are as much as possible removing foods high in salt, preservatives, coloring, waxes and pesticides. Wherever possible, choose organically grown and processed foods.

If this is not practical, make a habit of gently washing your food before you eat it. A bit of a nuisance for sure, but it really doesn’t take all that long and is easy enough to fit into your food preparation routine. And it can make a big difference to your over stressed immune system.

If you go to the bother of carrying out these changes you will be pleased to hear that you should experience a reduction in your asthma symptoms in as little as a month.

As far as what to eat or not eat when you have asthma, most research seems to be indicating that a “Vegan” diet (NO animal food products)is your best option as animal food products often have significant pesticide residues.

If this diet is too harsh and restrictive, and it will be for many, a general reduction of animal food products will help some. Your results will largely be determined by how bad your asthma is and how much of a vegan style diet you can live with. At the very least, you can reduce if not totally eliminate animal food products.

At this point in time there are more questions than answers when it comes to the causes of asthma. The biggest question is why are asthma rates doubling every 20 years?

It seems that as good as our current treatments for asthma are, we can increase their effectiveness dramatically if we practice some preventive care.

Perhaps we will never find a “cure” for asthma. As our world gets more and more complex in terms of the stress and strain we place on our bodies, the answer seems to move farther and farther away.

The most effective treatment for any disease is prevention. Knowing what we do about asthma and knowing the effect that environmental and emotional factors can have on our immune system, if we can begin to clean up our lives on all levels, this may be our best chance of finding the next best thing to a cure for asthma. Permanent prevention.

Brad Bahr is the editor of many health related websites and publications. He has been testing and reviewing nutritional supplements for over 20 years. After trying hundreds of products, he recommends one supplement above all others for renewing health and energy: http://www.hgh-facts.com

Technorati Tags: Asthma, Breathing, health, reprint articles, free articles, health articles

Asthma is a respiratory condition that, unfortunately, is becoming more common the world over. Today there are over 100 million sufferers world wide, and this figure is on the rise to the tune of 50% every decade.

Asthma can be defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, that is characterized by spasm of the bronchi (airway tubes)with inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes leading to an over production of thick phlegm in the lung and airways.

This phlegm sets off a response within the body characterized by typical asthma symptoms such as chronic coughing (especially at night), wheezing, difficulty in breathing and the difficult expectoration of thick, sticky phlegm. If not treated immediately, breathing can be impeded to the point of respiratory failure.

There are certain factors that can predispose one to having asthma. A family history of asthma or some history of allergies, definitely increases your chances of having asthma.

If you were weaned and introduced to solid food at an early age (6 months or less)the chances of you having food allergies and possibly asthma as a consequence increases dramatically. This is due to an immature digestive system being asked to digest foods it is not capable of at that time.

This places a significant stress on the under developed immune system of the baby that can lead to allergies and asthma.

Another common food related factor are food additives such as food colorings and preservatives. These factors are especially problematic for an asthma sufferer as they are in virtually everything that we eat and drink. This places a cumulative daily stress on the already stressed immune system of the asthma sufferer.

Some other dietary factors worth considering are, excessive salt intake and its connection to asthma and asthma mortality rates and dairy products which are notorious for their ability to produce phlegm.

And then there are the obvious airborne environmental allergens that we are forced to contend with. Dust, dust mites, pollens, cockroach waste and pet hair as well as allergens like pesticides (to kill the cockroaches) cleaning chemicals, perfumes and fuels (gas, petrol) pollution (air, water). The list is endless.

And if that is not enough asthma can occur as a result of excessive exercise, cold temperature, sudden emotional upset and can also be a part of a viral infection, that can occur during the virus as well as post viral.

Treatment for asthma is based around a treatment program that attempts to lessen the symptoms medicinally, while simultaneously removing whatever allergy provoking substances are in the asthmatics environment.

Most people these days look to a combination of conventional medicine (puffers for example) and alternative/herbal medicine. The combination works especially well, with many traditional herbs such as Ephedra and Gingko Biloba having a long tradition of effectively treating asthma and respiratory disorders.

As far as removing asthma causing substances from the environment, this can be a difficult. The obvious methods revolve around adequate and appropriate cleaning. Appropriate cleaning would be cleaning that doesn’t complicate things by introducing another toxic substance into the picture.

Some mould cleaners are known to irritate allergy and asthma sufferers, yet we need to remove the mould from the asthmatics environment.

Fortunately these days there are many products that have been created that take this into account. Always use hypo-allergenic cleaning products.

Dust must be removed. Regular vacuuming is a must. Preferably with a vacuum fitted with an air filter that will stop “micro dust” being put back into the air as you vacuum.

An air filtration system or at least a portable air filter would also help considerably.

Pets should never be allowed in the bedroom, and ideally not in the house, although many asthma sufferers are more likely to put up with their symptoms rather than cast out their pets.

Dietary measures that can help are as much as possible removing foods high in salt, preservatives, coloring, waxes and pesticides. Wherever possible, choose organically grown and processed foods.

If this is not practical, make a habit of gently washing your food before you eat it. A bit of a nuisance for sure, but it really doesn’t take all that long and is easy enough to fit into your food preparation routine. And it can make a big difference to your over stressed immune system.

If you go to the bother of carrying out these changes you will be pleased to hear that you should experience a reduction in your asthma symptoms in as little as a month.

As far as what to eat or not eat when you have asthma, most research seems to be indicating that a “Vegan” diet (NO animal food products)is your best option as animal food products often have significant pesticide residues.

If this diet is too harsh and restrictive, and it will be for many, a general reduction of animal food products will help some. Your results will largely be determined by how bad your asthma is and how much of a vegan style diet you can live with. At the very least, you can reduce if not totally eliminate animal food products.

At this point in time there are more questions than answers when it comes to the causes of asthma. The biggest question is why are asthma rates doubling every 20 years?

It seems that as good as our current treatments for asthma are, we can increase their effectiveness dramatically if we practice some preventive care.

Perhaps we will never find a “cure” for asthma. As our world gets more and more complex in terms of the stress and strain we place on our bodies, the answer seems to move farther and farther away.

The most effective treatment for any disease is prevention. Knowing what we do about asthma and knowing the effect that environmental and emotional factors can have on our immune system, if we can begin to clean up our lives on all levels, this may be our best chance of finding the next best thing to a cure for asthma. Permanent prevention.

Brad Bahr is the editor of many health related websites and publications. He has been testing and reviewing nutritional supplements for over 20 years. After trying hundreds of products, he recommends one supplement above all others for renewing health and energy: http://www.hgh-facts.com

Technorati Tags: Asthma, Breathing, health, reprint articles, free articles, health articles

Sesamin
Sesamin is a lignan isolated from sesame seeds. As a lignan is a molecule that combines with another entity acting as an “activator”, sesamin binds to and activates a receptor called Peroxisome Proliferator-Activator Receptor Alpha (PPARalpha). These receptors are involved in regulation of lipid metabolism, specifically the transcription of the genes involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids and lipogenesis, as well as fat oxidation in the mitochondria and the peroxisomes of cells by increasing the expression of enzymes involved in beta-oxidation of fatty acids.
In fact, the interaction of sesamin, and various types of dietary fats has been studied in rats in order to establish if it affects hepatic fatty acid oxidation.
Fatty acid oxidation
In the Division of Food Functionality, and the National Food Research Institute in Japan, rats were fed purified experimental diets supplemented with 0% or 0.2% sesamin (1:1 mixture of sesamin and episesamin), and containing 8% of either palm, safflower or fish oil for 15 days.
Among the groups fed sesamin-free diets, the activity of various fatty acid oxidation enzymes was higher in rats fed fish oil than in those fed palm and safflower oils. However, dietary sesamin increased enzyme activities in all groups of rats given different fats, depending on dietary fat type. But in all cases, the diet containing sesamin and fish oil in combination appeared to increase many of these activities synergistically. So these final results allowed the experts to elaborate some positive conclusions about this combination of sesamin and its action over fatty acid oxidation.
Another similar trial was performed in the Laboratory of Nutrition Biochemistry and the National Food Research Institute, also in Japan. Oxidation was examined in rats that were fed experimental diets containing various amounts (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5%) of sesamin (a 1:1 mixture of sesamin and episesamin) for 15 days. Finally, dietary sesamin dose-dependently increased both mitochondrial and peroxisomal palmitoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) oxidation rates. Furthermore, mitochondrial activity almost doubled in rats on the 0.5% sesamin diet. Peroxisomal activity also increased more than 10-fold in rats fed a 0.5% sesamin diet in relation to rats on the sesamin-free diet. Once again, dietary sesamin greatly increased the hepatic activity of fatty acid oxidation enzymes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, acyl-CoA oxidase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, enoyl-CoA hydratase, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase.
According to many researchers, another possible combination in order to increase this type of processes is related to conjugate linoleic acid (CLA). Japanese scientists studied whether dietary manipulations could enhance the effects of this substance over fat loss, and they found that sesamin helped stimulate the loss of adipose tissue. So it is possible that sesame lignans increase CLA ’s effects by stimulating a pathway of fatty acid breakdown called beta-oxidation. This combination may be also effective in lowering serum triglycerides, since the enhanced fatty-acid oxidation that sesamin promotes in the liver may be responsible for some triglyceride-lowering effect.
Dosage
As sesamin dosing ranges have not been established, and a few cases of sesamin allergies have been reported, the most advisable would be using it according to what is indicated on the product label. In addition, it may be also contraindicated with diuretic medications. So, of course, the advice and control of a qualified physician is necessary, just like with any other supplement.
It is also worth to make clear that the effects can vary from person to person because of genetic differences. However, sesamin is stimulant-free, so there’s no “rebound” weight gain or water retention once stop using it. In part because of that, healthy adults consider sesamin a safe nutritional supplement for use.

Cayenne
Cayenne is a very hot red pepper made from the dried pods of chili peppers and is well known for its pungent taste and smell. It is used to flavor dishes; its name comes from the city of Cayenne in French Guiana. It is also used as a herbal supplement, and was mentioned by Nicholas Culpeper- an English botanist, physician, and astrologer in the XVII century- in his Complete Herbal. Besides, it is believed to have many beneficial medicinal qualities, especially for the pulmonary and digestive systems, and it is used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine with those purposes, although its properties are being recognized in the whole world.
The reasons behind the properties
The main medicinal properties of cayenne are derived from a chemical called capsaicin, the ingredient that gives peppers their “heat”. The content of capsaicin in a regular pepper ranges from 0-1.5%. In fact, the degree of heat determines the peppers’ usage and value and the only beneficial ones are those which are labeled as 40,000, 60,000, 90,000 or more heat units. Apart from capsaicin, cayenne has other useful constituents, like vitamins E, vitamin C and carotenoids.
Regarding its digestive actions are related to the sooth of the digestive tract, along with the stimulation of the flow of stomach secretions and saliva, which contain helpful substances to the process of digestion.
Another great property is its quick stimulant effect over blood circulation. This is a major benefit for human body, since it increases the effectiveness of other herbs when mixed together. For example, when a tonic for the liver is taken, its effects turns insignificant if the person does not have a good circulation to its liver. Another example may occur when the person has a restriction of blood flow, which happens always in sick areas –like when an injury occurs. Blood flow takes nutrition and healing properties of herbs and medicines to those cells while it carries out and removes waste material. However, cayenne goes through that entire blockage and pass by the problematic area, allowing all the minerals and vitamins from the eaten foods, and the vital chemicals from the medicines taken to reach that area.
Fat loss properties?

Although some cayenne supplements are circulating in the fat loss market, by now no scientific evidence is available regarding with this regard. However, some sources affirm that though it may not have a fat loss action by itself, it can be mixed with Ginger Root, Apple Cider Vinegar, Potassium, and a few other herbs in order to get some results. In fact, there are some supplements that incorporated cayenne along with other type of substances, instead of being based just on cayenne at all.

Available forms

Apart from the supplements, whose reliability is already explained, cayenne is also available in powder and capsules. The herbals experts usually prefer powder to capsules, because of the process that occurs when the person puts cayenne in its mouth: the stomach secretes digestive juices before the cayenne gets there, in order to be ready for it.

On the other hand, when a capsule is swollen, as it tastes nothing, it goes down the stomach provoking no reactions at all, since it has not been noticed. However, when the gelatin bursts the effects suddenly appears, causing a shock to the body.

However, for those who are not used to this type of flavored food, high quantities of cayenne can taste a little aggressive. So, a good initial dosage would be 1/16th of a teaspoonful in some juice. Once the body gets used to it, the dosage can be slowly increased. However, the opinion and monitoring of a physician is advised, in order to avoid overdoses, and take exactly what the personal condition of the patient’s body requires.

Chromium

Chromium is an essential trace mineral for the human body. It’s important in processing carbohydrates and fats, and it helps cells respond properly to insulin.

The best food sources of chromium are meats and whole-grain products, while fruits, vegetables and milk have very low quantities of this substance. Although many studies have been performed in order to explain the way Chromium acts in the body, or whether it can be an aid to lose fat since its function are in some way related to metabolism, this subject is still unclear.

Trials

A reliable scientific study has been performed in School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University in China. The objective was to study the effects of chromium on the level of leptin and insulin in obese rats.

Binding of leptin to Ventral Medial nucleus of the hypothalamus signals to the brain that the body has had enough to eat -a sensation of satiety. Taking into a count this correlation of leptin concentrations with percentage of body fat, the hoped result should be an increase of this substance after the intake of Chromium (Some suggest Chromium Picolinate, others chromium polynicotinate, or also known as chromium nicotinate) However, in general, obese people have an unusually high circulating concentration of leptin, which leads to the theory that they are resistant to the effects of leptin, in much the same way that people with type 2 diabetes are resistant to the effects of insulin. Aparently, the high sustained concentrations of leptin from the enlarged fat stores result in the cells that respond to leptin becoming desensitised.

As the experiment was performed over 32 obese model rats, the positive result was an increase in their leptin levels. So the rats were divided randomly into four groups, from which we will just compare the one who was given chromium (3 mg/kg bw), with the high fat diet one.

After six weeks, fats around kidney and spermary were weighted and blood samples were collected to determine the level leptin and insulin. According to the results, the level of leptin and insulin in experimental group were lower than those in high fat diet group, as well as the ratios of fats around kidney and/or around spermary to body weight.

Although this has been performed in rats, it gives an idea the reaches of Chromium, since it would possible depress the high level of leptin and insulin in obese people too.

Regarding chromium picolinate –combination of chromium with picolinic, which aids in its absorption- its action over humans, results of a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical study published some years ago on the Current Therapeutic Research show that chromium aids in the loss of body fat, improving body composition, determined by the ratio of fat-free mass versus the amount of fatty tissue in the body. However, the dosage given to all patients were of 400 micrograms per day, which exceeds the “safe and adequate intake”, according to the United States Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDA) committee.
Safety

Although its ingestion in supplement form does not seem to imply major problems in the short term, the effects of its long-term use are a concern for some experts. According to a study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, daily ingestions of chromium supplements of 600 micrograms for five years may lead to an accumulation of this substance in tissues, which is apparently related to chromosome damage. However, it is worth to make clear that once again, this has been not proved over humans, since the study was performed over hamster ovary cells.

Regarding chromium in its natural form, a diet rich in whole-grain breads –the less processed grain, the more chromium levels- and cereals should provide enough amounts. However, if a supplement is chosen, the usual advisable maximum per day is 50-200 micrograms, while the FDA to recommend a daily intake of approximately 130 mcg, as infinitesimal amounts of chromium are needed to aid the transport of blood glucose across cell membranes.

Conclusion

At the moment, the use of chromium supplements is related to some controversy, since some sources claim it is a reliable aid to fat loss while some others claim just the opposite. It seems like all kinds of trials have been performed in order to support one theory or the other, though the most reliable ones are those performed on rats, since they come from a well-recognized source. Although this study may give a good perspective about chromium actions in humans, it is obvious that there is still some more serious research to do.