Phenomenal: Brand-New Scientific Review Praises Astonishing Antiviral Abilities of Kimchi

AHA Publisher — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 07:00:02 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Kimchi – a mix of fermented, spiced vegetables that features cabbage as a key ingredient – is a traditional Korean specialty with a long history of culinary and medicinal use. In fact, experts say that people have been enjoying the benefits of kimchi for over 3,000 years! While kimchi has long been recognized for its nutritional and probiotic value, it is currently impressing medical researchers with its intriguing antiviral properties. In an important new reviewpublished in Trends in Food and Science Technology, the authors proclaimed kimchi one of the “five healthiest foods in the world” and praised it for its ability to prevent and treat an array of viruses, including those that cause life-threatening respiratory diseases. So let’s take a closer look at this highly promising research on the benefits of kimchi. Review: Benefits of Kimchi Include Boosting the Immune Response In the new review published in July of 2021, the authors focused on Korean functional foods – particularly fermented foods such as kimchi – and their potential for preventing viral infections. The research also shed light on the all-important relationship between nutrition, gut bacteria, and the immune system and showcased the ability of healthy eating patterns to strengthen the immune system – particularly important since the onset of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. The team found that a beneficial type of lactic acid bacteria in kimchi, Lactoplantibacillus Plantarum, not only stimulates the all-important immune response but increases levels of the natural virus-fighting proteins interferon and interleukin. In addition, L. Plantarum interferes with viral replication, combating the ability of viral infections to spread. In one awe-inspiring study cited by the authors, the scientists hypothesized that kimchi could be more effective than Tamiflu – a pharmaceutical antiviral drug considered the “gold standard” of medical treatment for the H1N1 influenza virus. The authors concluded that the regular consumption of kimchi and other traditional fermented foods could offer protection from some viral diseases. Acute respiratory infections (including H1N1) currently claim the lives of roughly 4 million children a year worldwide – a heartbreaking toll. Here Is Why the Gut Microbiome Is Essential for Health According to experts, the gut microbiome – or community of bacteria in the intestinal tract – contains an astonishing 100 trillion bacteria. However, this abundance of intestinal bacteria is no cause for alarm – as most of these microbes are “friendly.” In fact, it’s likely that we would not survive long without them. Among its other essential tasks, the gut microbiome breaks down dietary fiber, produces vitamins such as vitamin K and biotin, helps to regulate the metabolism, influences mood, and cognition, and boosts the immune system, thereby helping to ward off pathogens and disease. And, when necessary, gut bacteria can even help “put the brakes” on an excessive immune response. For example, recent animal research reveals that bacteria in the gut microbiome may help to prevent an overactive immune response by regulating levels of active vitamin A – findings that could play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Kimchi’s Constituents Make Up a “Natural Medicine Chest” to Fight Disease It turns out that kimchi has all the right “anti’s” for promoting health. Studies have shown that the benefits of kimchi include antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. When it comes to nutrition, kimchi is a powerhouse. Nutrient-rich Napa cabbage – high in vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, and potassium – is at the heart of most kimchi recipes, which are further enriched with the addition of garlic, onions, ginger, carrots, and chili peppers. The additional vegetables are fermented through saturation with generous amounts of salt, then further flavored with seasonings and spices. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a half-cup of kimchi contains a modest 20 calories, four grams of carbs, one gram of protein, a gram of dietary fiber, and zero fat. Satisfying, tasty, and nutritious, kimchi makes an excellent snack. Kimchi Is Rich in Bioactive Disease-Fighting and Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidants While individual kimchi recipes can vary, you can usually expect to see some seriously healthy ingredients in the mix. For instance, kimchi recipes featuring carrots will be high in carotenoids – natural plant pigments that fight disease – while chili peppers, another common ingredient in kimchi, yield capsaicin – a natural compound with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-obesity, and painkilling properties. Napa cabbage, a mainstay in kimchi, is a member of the super-healthy cruciferous family of vegetables – and features cancer-fighting molecules known as sulforaphanes and isothiocyanates. Ginger, another common kimchi ingredient, contributes powerful antioxidants called shagaols, while the garlic and onions that lend flavor to kimchi provide generous amounts of disease-fighting allicin as well. Additional studies have confirmed the benefits of kimchi and other fermented foods. In a recent study published in Cell, the scientists concluded that fermented foods might be “valuable in countering the decreased microbiome diversity and increased inflammation pervasive in industrialized society” – a strong testament to the benefits of kimchi. Clearly, it’s no accident that knowledgeable researchers have included kimchi in the ranks of the world’s top superfoods, alongside such nutritional superstars as spirulina, turmeric, miso and goji berries. (You knew we were going to eventually reveal the other four contenders)! So, maybe it’s time to make kimchi a regular part of your healthy daily diet. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov ScienceDaily.com VeryWellFit.com

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Medicine That Treats Gout Could Also Battle COVID-19

AHA Publisher — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:00:43 +0000

University of Georgia via Newswise – As COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket across the U.S. and the world, few options are available for treating patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2. But new research from the University of Georgia offers hope for a viable therapeutic to combat the disease that has claimed more than 4 million lives worldwide. Published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, the study found that probenecid has broad antiviral properties, making it a prime candidate to combat not only SARS-CoV-2 infection but also other common and deadly respiratory viruses like RSV and flu. Probenecid is an FDA-approved medication that’s primarily used to treat gout, and it’s already widely available in the U.S. The drug has been on the market for over 40 years and has minimal side effects. “There’s really nothing out there to safely fight these viruses,” said Ralph Tripp, lead author of the study and GRA Eminent Scholar of Vaccine and Therapeutic Studies in UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “This antiviral works for all RNA respiratory viruses we tested, including SARS-CoV-2. RSV, coronavirus and flu all circulate in the same season. Bottom line is you can potentially reduce infection and disease using this one oral drug.” Blocking Viral Reproduction Viruses work by coopting a person’s own cells to replicate and produce more of the virus. Probenecid blocks that replication process, keeping the virus from infecting the individual’s cells. In clinical development at the pharmaceutical company TrippBio, Tripp showed the drug works as a prophylactic prior to virus exposure and as a post-exposure treatment in animal models against SARS-CoV-2 and flu. The drug also has proven effective in fighting the RSV in vitro, and in vivo studies are in progress. Although the drug would primarily be used after a person is positive for the virus, the prophylactic findings mean people with known exposures could also potentially take the drug to prevent getting sick. COVID-19 Treatment Options Limited The current go-to treatments for seriously ill COVID-19 patients, remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies, can only be given through an IV. And by the time a COVID patient needs them, it’s often too late. “These treatments have seen some effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, but they’re very expensive and very hard to come by,” Tripp said. “In reality, there are only a handful of options that can actually be used because of the cost, restricted IV usage, and lack of access. That’s not very useful to the world.” Probenecid, on the other hand, is widely available. Primary care physicians could prescribe a pill to patients, and they could pick it up at their local drugstore. Repurposing drugs that are already approved to work against one problem is common. For example, remdesivir was originally intended to fight Ebola virus… In addition to preventing illness before it starts, probenecid may also potentially increase the efficacy of other treatments. Probenecid is already used to up the potency of some antibiotics, so it’s possible the medication could work in conjunction with other COVID-19 treatments as well. Now the researchers are investigating what dosage of probenecid could have the biggest impact fighting viruses in people. TrippBio is set to begin clinical trials of the medication within the year. “SARS-CoV-2, RSV and flu have a huge impact on health systems throughout the world,” Tripp said. “Probenecid has a potent antiviral effect against these viruses, and it works safely.” This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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antiviral properties Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Phenomenal: Brand-New Scientific Review Praises Astonishing Antiviral Abilities of Kimchi

Medicine That Treats Gout Could Also Battle COVID-19