anti-microbial Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Apple Peels Put to the Test for Chronic Joint Pain

AHA Publisher — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 08:00:37 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Are the health benefits associated with apple consumption simply due to other healthy behaviors among apple-eaters? Regular apple intake is associated with all sorts of benefits, such as living longer and, more specifically, a lower risk of dying from cancer. At 0:17 in my video Apple Peels Put to the Test for Chronic Joint Pain, you can see the survival curve of elderly women. Of those who do not eat an apple a day, nearly a quarter had died after 10 years and nearly half were gone after 15 years. In comparison, those who eat on average about half an apple a day don’t die as young, and those eating one daily apple—more than three and a half daily ounces, which is around a cup of apple slices—lived even longer. Is it possible that people who eat apples every day just happen to practice other healthy behaviors, like exercising more or not smoking, and that’s why they’re living longer? The study controlled for obesity, smoking status, poverty, diseases, exercise, and more, so the researchers really could compare apples to apples (so to speak). What they didn’t control for, however, was an otherwise more healthful diet. As you can see at 1:04 in my video, studies show that those who regularly eat apples not only have higher intakes of nutrients like fiber that are found in the fruit, but they’re also eating less added sugar and less saturated fat. In other words, they’re eating overall more healthful diets, so it’s no wonder apple-eaters live longer. But, is apple-eating just a marker for healthful eating, or is there something about the apples themselves that’s beneficial? You don’t know, until you put it to the test. Given that “athletes use a variety of common strategies to stimulate arousal, cognition, and performance before morning training,” subjects were randomly assigned to a caffeinated energy drink, black coffee, an apple, or nothing at all in the morning. Did the apple hold its weight? Yes, it appeared to work just as well as the caffeinated beverages. The problem with these kinds of studies, though, is that they’re not blinded. Those in the apple group knew they were eating an apple, so there may have been an expectation bias—a placebo effect—that made them unconsciously give that extra bit of effort in the testing and skew the results. You can’t just stuff a whole apple into a pill. That’s why researchers instead test specific extracted apple components, which allows them to perform a double-blind, placebo-controlled study where half the subjects get the fruit elements and the other half get a sugar pill, and you don’t know until the end who got which. The problem there, however, is that you’re no longer dealing with a whole food, removing the symphony of interactions between the thousands of phytonutrients in the whole apple. Most of those special nutrients are concentrated in the peel, though. Instead of just dumpingmillions of pounds of nutrition in the trash, why couldn’t researchers just dry and powder the peels into opaque capsules to disguise them and then run blinded studies with those? Even just a “small amount could greatly increase phytochemical content and antioxidant activity…” The meat industry got the memo. A study found that “dried apple peel powder decreasesmicrobial expansion” in meat and protects against carcinogen production when it’s cooked. One of the carcinogens formed during the grilling of meat is a beta-carboline alkaloid—a neurotoxin that may be “a potential contributor to the development of neurological diseases including Parkinson’s disease.” Uncooked meat doesn’t have any. The neurotoxin is formed when meat is cooked, but you can cut the levels in half by first marinating it with dried apple peel powder, as you can see at 3:27 in my video. Apple peel also cuts down on the amount of fecal contamination bacteria in meat. At 3:36 in my video, you can see a graph showing fecal bacteria growth in pork, beef, and turkey. After the addition of dried apple peel powder, the amount of fecal bacteria decreased. Apple peels can also inhibit the formation of genotoxic, DNA-damaging, heterocyclic amines (HCAs). As I show at 3:55 in my video, apple peels reduced the levels of these cooked meat carcinogens by up to more than half. “In view of the risks associated with consuming HCAs,” these cancer-causing compounds in meat, “there is a need to reduce exposure by blocking HCA formation such as by adding an ingredient during the cooking of meats to prevent their production”—an ingredient like apple peel powder. (Of course not cooking the meat to begin with be another way to reduce exposure…). What about consuming apple peels directly? It was found that dried apple peel powder “exhibits powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action,” but that was in mice. Does it have anti-inflammatory properties in people? You don’t know, until you put it to the test. A dozen people with moderate loss of joint range of motion and associated chronic pain were given a spoonful of dried apple peels a day for 12 weeks. As you can see at 4:45 in my video, month after month, their pain scores dropped and the range of motion improved in their neck, shoulders, back, and hips. The study’s conclusion? “Consumption of DAPP [dried apple peel powder] was associated with improved joint function and…pain reduction…” Why just “associated”? There was no control group so the subjects might have simply been getting better on their own, or the placebo effect could have come into play. Regardless, why not give apple peels a try by eating more apples? If you want to learn more about meat carcinogens, see my video Essential Tremor and Diet, and check out Reducing Cancer Risk in Meat-Eaters for more on HCAs. KEY TAKEAWAYS After controlling for such factors as obesity, smoking status, and exercise, researchers studying elderly women found that those who eat an apple a day (more than 3.5 daily ounces, about a cup of apple slices) live longer than those who only eat about half an apple on average, who themselves live longer than those who do not eat an apple a day. Studies show that subjects who regularly eat apples have higher intakes of fiber, which is found in the fruit, while eating less added sugar and less saturated fat. An apple in the morning was found to work as well as a caffeinated energy drink or black coffee, but the study wasn’t blinded so the possibility of expectation bias, a placebo effect, cannot be dismissed. Many special nutrients are concentrated in the peels of apples, and dried apple peel powder has been found to decrease “microbial expansion” in meat and protect against production of carcinogens during the cooking process. Beta-carboline alkaloid, a neurotoxin that may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases, is one of the carcinogens formed during the grilling of meat, and its levels can be halved by first marinating the meat with dried apple peel powder before cooking. Apple peels also reduce the amount of fecal contamination bacteria in meat and can inhibit DNA-damaging heterocyclic amines (HCAs) from forming. A daily spoonful of dried apple peels for 12 weeks resulted in subjects with moderate loss of range of motion in their joints and related chronic pain to experience improvements in their necks, shoulders, backs, and hips, as well as lower pain scores. To read the original article click here.

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Eating Raw Sauerkraut Offers More Health Benefits Than You Think

AHA Publisher — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 08:00:03 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – Sauerkraut, that familiar hot dog condiment, may not have the beauty of garnet-colored raspberries or the sweet, refreshing flavor of tropical fruits. But the latest scientific research tells us that freshly-made organic sauerkraut is a true superfood that boosts the immune system, promotes intestinal health, and helps prevent cancer in many ways. A recently published study in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that fermented foods such as raw sauerkraut contain chemical compounds and beneficial bacteria that offer a wide array of health benefits due to their anticancer, anti-microbial, and antioxidant activities. How Does Sauerkraut Prevent Cancer? Cabbage, the cruciferous vegetable from which sauerkraut is made, is already valued by natural food experts and nutritionists for its sky-high amounts of anticarcinogenic bioactive compounds. In fact, the glucosinolates in cabbage help activate the body’s own antioxidants, which fight the lipid oxidation and inflammation that can trigger cancer and heart disease. Additionally, the process of lacto-fermentation involved in turning cabbage to sauerkraut produces beneficial bacteria. It unleashes even more potent anti-inflammatory cancer-fighting substances – taking the health benefits to a whole new level and helping to ward off cancers of the prostate, bladder, and breast. Here Is Why Raw Sauerkraut Helps Ward Off Cancer According to the author and natural health expert Sandor Ellix Katz, the process of lactic fermentation not only preserves the nutrients in food but breaks them down. Hence, they are even more healthful and easily digested. But what, exactly, is lactic fermentation, and why is it beneficial? Although the term sounds somewhat technical, it is actually the natural result of layering shredded cabbage in water with salt, then letting existing bacteria on the cabbage do the work. The end product – sauerkraut – contains more live probiotic cultures than yogurt. One result of lacto-fermentation is to create large amounts of beneficial lactobacillus bacteria, which support friendly flora in the intestinal tract. Another is the release of isothiocyanate compounds from existing glucosinolate; these isothiocyanates have shown such pronounced anticarcinogenic effects in cellular, laboratory, and human studies. Impressive Science Behind the Benefits of Sauerkraut In an October 2002 article in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers announced that they had isolated isothiocyanates in sauerkraut and that these compounds had cancer-protective effects in animal studies. They added that clinical research would be required to determine if these effects extended to humans. In the twelve years since the article was published, many studies on sauerkraut and sauerkraut juice show that it lowers cancer risk in humans – particularly for cancers of the breast and colon. In a study published in 2011 in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers noted that the detoxifying enzymes in sauerkraut juice have an anticarcinogenic effect on kidney and liver cancer cells and added that sauerkraut juice increased levels of glutathione-S-transferase – considered a chemoprotective agent. Sauerkraut’s Probiotic Cultures Fight Cancer in Multiple Ways In a review published in 2006 in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, researchers stated that lactic acid bacteria could prevent certain types of cancer – including colon and bladder cancer – and categorized how probiotic cultures help torpedo cancer cell development. Not only do probiotic cultures detoxify ingested carcinogens and stimulate the immune system, but they also create an environment hostile to carcinogenic compounds. Specifically, they create organic compounds – including butyrate – that inhibit tumor growth and encourage the apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of cancer cells. The authors theorized that probiotic cultures might also suppress bacteria responsible for turning procarcinogens into carcinogens and added that lactobacillus could bind to mutagenic compounds in the intestine. What Is the Best Type of Sauerkraut to Prevent Cancer? Buy only sauerkraut that is freshly made, raw, unpasteurized, and organic; your best bet is to look for it in the refrigerated aisle of local markets or farmers’ markets. Avoid canned sauerkraut, which offers far fewer nutrients and probiotic benefits. Most experts recommend consuming at least 1 and ½ cups of sauerkraut 4 to 5 times a week; 2-cup servings, of course, are even healthier. One cautionary note: raw sauerkraut produces raffinose, a trisaccharide that can’t be broken down in the intestine. Bloating and flatulence can result but should subside as your body becomes accustomed to this healthful food. Simply put, fresh lacto-fermented sauerkraut, packed with cancer-fighting compounds and antioxidants and high in healthful dietary fiber, is a superb nutritional choice. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Wiley.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Oregano Oil Benefits for Infections, Fungus & Even the Common Cold

AHA Publisher — Wed, 20 May 2020 07:00:01 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Designed specifically for fighting bacterial infections, antibiotics are one of medical doctors’ favorite tools for treating many health issues. But there’s another underutilized natural “medicine” that many doctors don’t tell their patients about: oregano oil (also called oil of oregano). Oregano oil is a powerful, plant-derived essential oil that may rival antibiotics when it comes to treating or preventing various infections. (1a) In fact, it contains properties that are antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. (1b) And oregano essential oil is unlikely to cause many of the harmful side effects that are commonly attributed to high use of antibiotics — such as increased risk for antibiotic resistance, poor gut health due to destroying beneficial probiotic bacteria, reduced vitamin absorption and leaky gut syndrome due to damage of the GI tract’s lining. Meanwhile, oregano oil benefits extend beyond just controlling infections. What else is oregano essential oil used to treat? Common examples of conditions that oregano oil can help manage include: Athlete’s foot or toenail fungus Common colds Gingivitis Earaches or toothaches Digestive problems such as heartburn and SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) What Is Oregano Oil? Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that is a member of the mint family (Labiatae). Oregano has been considered a precious plant commodity for over 2,500 years in folk medicines that originated across the globe. It has a very long use in traditional medicine for treating colds, indigestion and upset stomachs. (2a) You might have some experience cooking with fresh or dried oregano leaves — such as oregano spice, one of the top herbs for healing — but oregano essential oil is far from what you’d put in your pizza sauce. Found in the Mediterranean, throughout many parts of Europe, and in South and Central Asia, medicinal grade oregano is distilled to extract the essential oil from the herb, which is where a high concentration of the herb’s active constituents are found. It takes over 1,000 pounds of wild oregano to produce just one pound of oregano essential oil! The oil’s active ingredients are preserved in alcohol and used in essential oil form both topically (on the skin) and internally. When made into a medicinal supplement or essential oil, oregano is often called “oil of oregano.” As mentioned above, oregano oil is a considered a natural alternative to prescription antibiotics. Oil of oregano contains two powerful compounds called carvacrol and thymol, both of which have been shown in studies to have strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Oregano’s oil is primarily made of carvacrol, while the plant’s leaves contain a variety of antioxidant compounds, such as phenols, triterpenes, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. (2b) 7 Oregano Oil Benefits + Research Studies What can you use oregano essential oil for? The predominant healing compound found in oregano oil, carvacrol, has widespread uses ranging from treating allergies to protecting the skin. According to the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Messina in Italy: Carvacrol, a monoterpenic phenol, has emerged for its wide spectrum activity extended to food spoilage or pathogenic fungi, yeast and bacteria as well as human, animal and plant pathogenic microorganisms including drug-resistant and biofilm forming microorganisms. (3) Carcavol found in oregano essential oil is so potent that it has been been the focus of over 800 studies referenced in PubMed, the world’s No. 1 database for scientific evidence-based literature. To give you a sense of how multi-functional and impressive carvacrol is, it has been shown in studies to help reverse or reduce some of these common health problems: Bacterial infections Fungal infections Parasites Viruses Inflammation Allergies Tumors Indigestion Candida Because it has antimicrobial properties, oregano is also used to preserve food quality during storage 1. Natural Alternative to Antibiotics What’s the problem with frequently using antibiotics? Broad-spectrum antibiotics can be dangerous because they don’t only kill bacteria that are responsible for infections, they also kill good bacteria that we need for optimal health. The Wall Street Journal printed a fantastic article highlighting the dangers that patients may face when they repeatedly use antibiotics. In the author’s words, “Recent studies have shown that doctors are overprescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics, sometimes called the big guns, that kill a wide swath of both good and bad bacteria in the body.” (4) Overuse of antibiotics, and prescribing broad-spectrum drugs when they aren’t needed, can cause a range of problems. It can make the drugs less effective against the bacteria they are intended to treat by fostering the growth of antibiotic-resistant infections. And it can wipe out the body’s good bacteria (probiotics), which help digest food, produce vitamins and protect from infections, among other functions. Unfortunately broad-spectrum antibiotics are very commonly prescribed, and often for conditions in which they have no use, such as viral infections. In one study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, researchers from the University of Utah and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 60 percent of the time when physicians prescribe antibiotics they choose broad-spectrum types. A similar study of children, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that when antibiotics were prescribed they were broad-spectrum 50 percent of the time, mainly for respiratory conditions. (5) In contrast, what does oil of oregano do for you that makes it so beneficial? Essentially, taking oregano oil is a “broad-spectrum approach” to protecting your health. Its active ingredients help fight multiple types of harmful pathogens, including bacteria, yeast and fungi. As a study in the Journal of Medicinal Food journal stated in 2013, oregano oils “represent an inexpensive source of natural antibacterial substances that exhibited potential for use in pathogenic systems.” (1) 2. Fights Infections & Bacterial Overgrowth Here’s the good news regarding the use of less-than-ideal antibiotics: there’s evidence that oregano essential oil can help to fight at least several strains of bacteria that cause health problems that are commonly treated with antibiotics. Dozens of studies confirm the fact that oregano oil can be used in place of harmful antibiotics for a number of health concerns. In 2011 the Journal of Medicinal Food published a study that evaluated the antibacterial activity of oregano oil against five different types of bad bacteria. After evaluating the anti-bacterial characteristics of oil of oregano it showed significant anti-bacterial properties against all five species. The highest activity was observed against E. Coli, which suggests that oregano oil could potentially be routinely used to promote gastrointestinal health and to prevent deadly food poisoning. (6) A 2013 study published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture concluded that “O. vulgare extracts and essential oil from Portuguese origin are strong candidates to replace synthetic chemicals used by the industry.” Researchers from the study found that after studying the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of oregano that Origanum vulgare inhibited the growth of seven tested strains of bacteria that other plant extracts could not. (7) One study involving mice that was published in the journal Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia also found impressive results: in addition to fighting bacteria like Listeria and E. Coli, they also found evidence that oregano oil may have the ability to help pathogenic fungi. (8) Other evidence shows that oregano oil’s active compounds (such as thymol and carvacrol) can help fight toothaches and earaches caused by bacterial infections. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases concluded that “Essential oils or their components placed in the ear canal can provide effective treatment of acute otitis media.” (9) 3. Helps Reduce Side Effects From Medications/Drugs In recent years many studies have found that one of the most promising oregano oil benefits is helping to reduce side effects from medications/drugs. These studies give hope to people who want to find a way to manage the horrible suffering that accompanies drugs and medical interventions, such as chemotherapy or use of drugs for chronic conditions like arthritis. A study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine showed that phenol in oil of oregano can help protect against methotrexate toxicity in mice. (10) Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug commonly used to treat a wide array of issues from cancer to rheumatoid arthritis, but it’s also well-known to have dangerous side effects. After evaluating oil of oregano’s ability to keep these factors at bay, researchers believe its due to oregano’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Oregano was shown to work better than drugs that are ineffective at providing full protection against MTX’s adverse effects. By evaluating various markers in the sciatic nerve in mice, it was observed for the first time that carvacrol decreased the pro-inflammatory response in mice being treated by MTX. Being a relatively new concept in the research world, I expect to see more studies testing these results because “groundbreaking” doesn’t even begin to describe the significance of this study. Similarly, research conducted in the Netherlands showed that oregano essential oil can also “prevent bacterial overgrowth and colonization in the large intestine during oral iron therapy.” (11) Used to treat iron deficiency anemia, oral iron therapy is known to cause a series of gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and vomiting. It’s believed that carvacrol targets the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria and increases membrane permeability, thereby causing depletion of harmful bacteria. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, carvacrol also interferences with certain pathways for bacterial iron handling which helps to lower side effects of iron therapy. 4. Helps Treat Athlete’s Foot One study found that a combination of heat, salt and use of essential oils (including oregano) had inhibitory effects against mycelia of T. rubrum and conidia of T. mentagrophytes, bacterial strains that commonly cause the fungal infection known as athlete’s foot. The researchers concluded that “Thermotherapy combined with essential oils and salt would be promising to treat tinea pedis in a foot bath.” After testing the fungicidal activity of 11 essential oils against the bacteria known to cause athlete’s foot, oregano oil was found to be the most powerful (followed by thyme, cinnamon bark, lemongrass and clove). (12) 5. Helps Treat Digestive Issues (Including SIBO & Heartburn) Several of the active compounds found in Origanum vulgare can help to aid digestion by relaxing the muscles of the GI tract and also helping to balance the ratio of good-to-bad bacteria in the gut. Thymol, one of oregano’s active compounds, is a similar compound to menthol, which is found in peppermint oil. Like menthol, thymol may help relax the soft tissue of the throat and stomach which can help to decrease GERD, heartburn and discomfort after eating. Because it helps balance bacteria and fights yeast overgrowth, oregano essential oil is also a popular natural treatment for Candida and SIBO, or small intestine bacterial overgrowth. SIBO is a common digestive problem that causes gas, bloating and intolerances to many carbohydrate-containing foods (especially FODMAPs). Origanum vulgare hinders bacterial replication and can be used similarly to antibiotic medications such as rifaximin (Xifaxan) for treating infections that affect digestive health and nutrient absorption. A 2014 study published in Global Advances in Health & Medicine found evidence that use of herbal antimicrobials is just as effective as the antibiotic usually given for the treatment of SIBO. When 104 patients diagnosed with SIBO (via lactulose breath test) were treated either with rifaximin (1,200 milligrams) or herbal antimicrobials over the course of four weeks the results showed that 46 percent of the patients treated with herbal antimicrobials experienced symptom improvements, compared to only 34 percent treated with the antibiotic rifaximin. (13) Additionally, 14 of the 44 patients who still had SIBO after a course of rifaximin were then treated with herbal antimicrobials. Fifty-seven percent responded positively to the herbal treatment even after failing to feel better from the antibiotics! 6. Can Help Treat Parasites One study found that when adults whose stools tested positive for enteric parasites (including Blastocystis hominis which causes digestive distress) supplemented with 600 milligrams of oregano for six weeks many experienced significant gastrointestinal symptoms. There was a “complete disappearance of Entamoeba hartmanni (four cases), Endolimax nana (one case), and Blastocystis...

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Not Getting Better with Treatment? Time to Target Biofilms

AHA Publisher — Sun, 03 May 2020 07:00:05 +0000

Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS, LAc via Dr. Axe – As an integrative, holistic physician, it’s not uncommon to see complex patients who have been “failed” by conventional medicine. They’ve tried every option to address their condition, with no success. Standard drug protocols and alternative therapies have proven futile, leaving doctors scratching their heads — and patients feeling powerless. Often, they’re struggling with some sort of mystery illness causing vague symptoms like fatigue, brain fog and digestive complaints for years. However, groundbreaking research in a fast-growing field of medicine may have an answer — offering critical insights into the increasing problems surrounding “mystery illnesses” and “treatment resistance.” Most importantly, new findings have identified a critical therapeutic target that can reverse this potentially life-threatening situation — allowing drugs therapies and the body’s own immune cells to do what they’re supposed to: Heal us. From chronic Lyme disease and drug-resistant MRSA, to atherosclerosis, chemo-resistant cancer and undiagnosed mystery conditions, patients who are struggling to find solutions may share a common thread: Biofilms within the body. The Matrix Revealed Biofilms are physical barriers that form around infections, tumors and other areas of injury and illness in the body. In some respect, they represent one of the body’s survival strategies: To isolate problem areas so they don’t spread. But, paradoxically, biofilms create a type of shield that prevents drugs, therapeutic agents and the immune system from reaching the affected area. This is why, despite aggressive treatments, many patients don’t get better — until biofilms are addressed. Many biofilm structures in the body are formed by colonies of different harmful microbes as their own protection — a key survival strategy of these organisms themselves. Common offenders include H. pylori, species of Candida and other fungi, E. coli, dental plaque and other microbial and parasitic species, including Lyme disease. Many of us live with them unknowingly, attributing vague symptoms to other causes. These microbes secrete a gel-like substance which binds to sugars and proteins, heavy metals, minerals and other substances in the body to form a sticky, tenacious, pro-inflammatory armor behind which toxins, bacteria, fungi and parasites can hide. Biofilms interfere with detoxification and nutrient absorption, promote and protect co-infections, create arteriosclerotic plaque, and give cancer cells a place to hide. Imagine the slime trails left by slugs and add in calcium, heavy metals and toxins, and other components to create structural strength. Tiny canals within the matrix allow nutrients and messages to pass between organisms, which signal to each other to make complex decisions that promote their growth and survival. Organisms enmeshed in a biofilm community are much more resistant to antimicrobial therapies than their free-living counterparts. They are also able to sense what’s going on in their surroundings and become more invasive when their host is weak. Galectin-3: The Backbone of Biofilms There is one protein in our body that contributes significantly to the formation of biofilms: The pro-inflammatory protein called galectin-3 (Gal-3). This sticky binding protein gets expressed into the circulation in response to illness, infection, injury, stress, aging and other factors, but subsequently, it becomes a driver of chronic inflammation, tumor growth and metastasis, fibrosis and immune suppression. Gal-3 has a unique shape that allows it to bind to itself and form pentamers, which then bind to other pro-inflammatory compounds to create dense lattice structures. These Gal-3 lattices are what form the backbone of biofilms. Tumors can also use Gal-3 to shield the tumor microenvironment, allowing the cancer to protect itself from drug treatments and immune surveillance. Strategic Success: Addressing Biofilms Addressing biofilms represents a key strategic approach to resolving persistent infections as well as cancer and other chronic, inflammatory conditions. The best way to address biofilms is with specific antibiofilm agents and detox therapies that are shown to help to break up the biofilm structures and allow other treatments — conventional or complementary — to reach their target tissues. Modified Citrus Pectin The most important natural detox and protection supplement that’s proven to block Gal-3 is a form of modified citrus pectin (MCP) — a clinically researched ingredient derived from regular citrus pectin and modified for a high degree of bioactivity against numerous conditions. I use MCP extensively in my practice to address Gal-3 in cancer, cardiovascular and kidney disease and many other conditions. This MCP is the only known agent able to bind and block the pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic and cancer-promoting actions of Gal-3 and is shown through extensive research to halt and reverse the impacts of Gal-3 in critical illnesses. Because this MCP binds and blocks Gal-3 and interrupts its biofilm lattice formations, it’s been shown in multiple studies and clinical application to synergistically enhance the effects of other drugs and therapies — from chemotherapy to antibiotic treatments. It’s also a powerful detoxification and heavy metal binder often used in biofilm protocols as a “mopping agent” to clean up the byproducts of disrupted biofilms and microbes. Heavy metal toxicity is often linked to biofilm formation and chronic infection, which makes MCP another key element in the success of these protocols. Certain Edible Mushrooms Research shows that certain edible mushrooms may offer important antibiofilm and antibacterial activities, inhibiting the formation of biofilms by common bacteria, and preventing them from adhering to tissues and forming complex colony structures. Of the varieties tested, Trametes versicolor mushroom — one that I use extensively in my practice — showed the highest antibiofilm and antibacterial activity Alginates from Kelp Additional research shows that alginates, derived from kelp seaweed, have the ability to break up biofilms formed by gram-negative bacteria. Low molecular weight alginates are often used in GI health protocols, and I also use them in my clinic as part of detoxification formulas to help remove toxins and microbial infections in the GI tract. Enzymes and Probiotics Advanced enzyme formulations are often used to break down and dissolve the biofilm matrix. The enzymes are usually given on an empty stomach, prior to giving a specific antimicrobial therapy — either pharmaceutical agents, botanicals or both. Probiotics are given separately; they exert their own protective effects to support digestive health and help restore balance to the digestive system. Final Thoughts on Biofilms By incorporating specific agents to strategically address the issue of biofilms, treatments become more effective and easier to tolerate. Successful treatment of biofilms in the body can allow practitioners and patients to finally triumph over persistent, health-robbing infections and conditions. Chronic infections are often a looming factor behind complex disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Biofilm treatment is showing promising success with these and other conditions, including integrative Lyme treatment, particularly when combined with other targeted nutrients and compounds to restore health and vitality. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Research Review Discusses Anti-Cancer Properties of Turmeric

AHA Publisher — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 08:00:06 +0000

S.H.R.O (Sbarro Health Research Organization) via News-Medical Net – Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, has gained attention from scientists worldwide for its biological properties as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral agent. In addition, curcumin’s anticancer potential has been the most described and still remains under investigation. The most significant outcomes have been collected and discussed in the review “Curcumin and Cancer” by Prof. Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Sbarro Health Research Organization and the Sbarro Institute for Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research at Temple University in Philadelphia, and Professor of Anatomic Pathology at the University of Siena, Italy. Written together with Dr. Giuseppina Tommonaro of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry-National Research Council (ICB-CNR) of Italy, the review was published in October 2019 in the prestigious journal Nutrients. “In the last year, many scientists have discussed the real health benefits of Curcumin, often stimulating very passionate debate, and, with Giuseppina Tommonaro, as scientists involved in studies related to natural compounds and cancer, we wanted to explore the most recent findings on this topic.” Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Founder, and Director, Sbarro Health Research The review has collected studies concerning the anticancer potential of curcumin against the most widespread cancers and also describing the molecular mechanisms of action. Moreover, the problem of bioavailability of curcumin as well as the most recent advances in the clinical use of curcumin and new drug formulations are discussed. The authors conclude that, thanks to its effects on different signaling pathways and molecular targets involved in the development of several cancers, curcumin represents a promising candidate as an effective anticancer drug, either alone or in combination with other treatments. To read the original article click here.

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