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Oregano Benefits for Inflammation, Infections & More

AHA Publisher — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 08:00:36 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Although many people think of it as the herb that’s sprinkled on top of pizza or into pasta sauces, oregano has been considered a precious plant for over 2,500 years in folk medicines around the world. It’s one of the top herbs for healing because of its antioxidant and antibacterial activity. With powerful antioxidants and components that help fight bacterial and viral infections, this common herb holds important space in both your kitchen and medicine cabinets. Although oregano oil is much more concentrated and has greater therapeutic potential, cooking with oregano has its health benefits, too. What Is Oregano? Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that’s a member of the mint(Lamiaceae) family. It has been used for thousands of years in folk medicines to treat upset stomach, respiratory complaints and bacterial infections. Oregano leaves have a strong aroma and slightly bitter, earthy flavor. The spice was used in ancient Egypt and Greece to flavor meats, fish and vegetables. The herb got its name from the Greeks, where “oregano” means “Joy of the Mountain.” Types/Varieties There are several types of oregano offered across the globe. Common oregano is known as “origanum vulgare” and is also called “wild marjoram.” The varieties that are most popular for cooking are Greek oregano and Italian oregano. The Greek variety is more pungent, while the Italian type has a sweeter aroma. Some other varieties include: Syrian oregano Golden oregano Curan oregano Mexican oregano There are also varieties that are not consumed but used for decorative purposes. This includes pilgrim oregano, amethyst falls oregano and hop-flower oregano. These types have colorful flowers and grow easily in gardens. Benefits The leaves and dried versions are excellent sources of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds. Most studies involving the herb are done with its essential oils, which is a more concentrated form and has greater efficacy for promoting overall wellness and healthy aging. Research shows that this herb has the following benefits: 1. Antioxidant Powerhouse Oregano is jam-packed with health-promoting antioxidants, including limonene, thymol, carvacrol and terpinene. In fact, it’s one of the top antioxidant foods with an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) score of 159,277. (That’s high!) There are numerous benefits of eating foods high in antioxidants. They help slow the effects of aging by reducing free radical damage, which can contribute to many health issues and premature aging. Antioxidants positively impact your skin, eyes, heart, brain and cells as well. Studies on oregano extracts show that the herb’s antioxidant effects are likely attributed to carvacrol and thymol, two components that have therapeutic and preventative purposes in folk medicine. 2. Has Antibacterial Properties Several studies indicate that oil of oregano has antibacterial effects against a range of bacterial strains. There’s even research supporting the use of the oil as an alternative to harmful antibiotics for a number of health concerns. One study found that oil of oregano possesses the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli, suggesting that the extract can be used to promote gastrointestinal health and prevent food poisoning. What does this mean about the oregano leaves you add to your pasta sauce? They contain two important compounds, thymol and carvacrol, which help fight bacterial infections. That said, using the more concentrated essential oil is far more effective for killing bacteria. 3. Reduces Inflammation Cooking with this health-promoting herb, whether it’s dry or fresh, may help reduce inflammation. Studies on the herb’s essential oils show that it contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This is due to the plant’s antioxidant activity, which helps improve chronic inflammation and a long list of diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Oregano products are used to relieve inflammatory conditions including allergies and rheumatoid arthritis. Herbal extracts are also used topically to reduce issues like insect bites, psoriasis, acne and muscle pain. 4. Fights Viral Infections Carvacrol, one of the main components in oregano, has been shown to possess antiviral properties. This enables oregano oil to delay viral disease progression and improve resistance to infections. Again, these studies use the herb’s essential oil, which is far more concentrated than consuming fresh or dried leaves. However, they does highlight the beneficial compounds that are present in the plant. Nutrition One teaspoon (about a gram) of oregano leaves contains approximately: 3.1 calories 1.9 carbohydrates 0.1 grams protein 0.1 grams fat 0.4 grams fiber 6.2 micrograms vitamin K (8 percent DV) On teaspoon (about 2 grams) of dried oregano contains approximately: 5.4 calories 3.4 carbohydrates 0.2 grams protein 0.2 grams fat 0.7 grams fiber 10.9 micrograms vitamin K (14 percent DV) 0.8 milligrams iron (4 percent DV) 0.1 milligrams manganese (4 percent DV) 27.6 milligrams calcium (3 percent DV) How to Add to Diet (Recipes) It’s easy to add oregano spice and leaves into your everyday diet. It’s commonly added to Mediterranean dishes and serves as a versatile spice for sauces, stuffings, soups and salads. It can be sprinkled on homemade pizzas, soups and doughs too. Need some recipe ideas that incorporate this health-promoting herb? Try these: Homemade Chicken Marsala with ghee and Paleo flour Zesty Turkey Salad with beans, walnuts and fresh herbs Olive Tapenade Recipe with olives, fresh herbs and sun-dried tomatoes Need some tips on optimizing freshness when cooking with this herb? Chopping or crushing the leaves provides more flavor, and add it in at the end of the cooking process for the best results. Using fresh leaves gives you more flavor too. Thankfully, the herb is super easy to grow at home and even thrives in a pot on your windowsill. Risks and Side Effects Consuming dried or fresh oregano is safe in normal amounts, when added to recipes. People who are allergic to herbs within the Lamiaceae family, like mint and basil, should be cautious when eating it for the first time. The oil is much more concentrated and should only be consumed for short periods of time, at a maximum of two weeks. It should also be diluted with water or coconut oil when taken internally. The essential oil should also be diluted when applied topically to fight infections or reduce inflammation. Conclusion Oregano has been used for thousands of years for therapeutic and culinary purposes. The herb has powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the herb’s essential oils are more potent and provide greater therapeutic benefits, adding dried or fresh leaves to recipes is an excellent way to consume the plant’s antioxidants. It’s easy to cook with the herb. It goes well in any Mediterranean recipe, including sauces, fish and meat dishes, soups and salads. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Are Your Immune Defenses Ready? The Quiet Threat You Need to Know

AHA Publisher — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 07:00:22 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Since World War II, we’ve been in a battle with an enemy that’s growing in strength each year. Devastatingly, approximately 700,000 people die from antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections, or superbugs, every year worldwide. This includes 35,000 Americans (1). It’s an astounding number. Unfortunately, the current trend suggests it will only get worse especially if we continue to weaken our immune defenses on a personal basis and allow these infectious superbugs to spread throughout communities. What can be done? We can each invest in the health of our bodies and support our immune systems. Here’s how superbugs came to be, why their threat is growing, and what you can do specifically to bolster your immune defenses. The Story of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Superbugs Soon after antibiotics became available and throughout World War II, scientists began to realize that antibiotic resistance could become a problem. Both British and American troops were given penicillin to fight infections during the war. To meet the demand, pharmaceutical companies ramped up production. About a year after the war ended, many experts began warning that penicillin could become useless if it continued to be over-used. Alexander Fleming, the physician-scientist who was recognized for discovering penicillin (2), warned that using non-lethal amounts of penicillin may allow bacteria to become resistant to it. In other words, bacteria may become stronger and adapt to antibiotics. If a low dose is taken, the antibiotics kill the weak bacteria, leaving only the strongest as survivors. Over time, new types of resistant bacteria could emerge and multiply. Once these bacteria infect a host, newer, different, and/or stronger antibiotics would be needed. Why It’s Still a Modern Global Threat At the time, scientists did not worry too much about the resistant bacteria. New strains of antibiotics were being produced, and they were optimistic they would be able to kill any bacterial threat with a different antibiotic. Unfortunately, Flemming’s warning was not heeded. Even now, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are not talked about much outside scientific circles. And, our lifestyles continue to enable the emergence of new strains and threats. Our overuse of antibiotics and antibacterial products allows the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, our consumption of foods from livestock in which antibiotics have been used further destroys our own immune defenses and allows antibiotic-resistant bacteria to proliferate. Now, the World Health Organization projects as many as 10 million people per year may die from antibiotic-resistant by 2050 if current trends are sustained (3). The Threat to Your Immune Defenses In your own life, it may seem like your immune defenses are under attack from all sides. We have viruses, bacteria, and intolerances to contend with, and this is nothing new. Mankind has dealt with threats throughout human history. The difference with superbugs is that we may not have medications to fight them, and unlike many viruses, they don’t always just run their course. What can you do? It’s essential to stay as healthy as possible with lifestyle choices and habits. This can put your body in a position to fight microbes. How to Support a Healthy Immune Function There are 3 primary ways you can support your immune function. You can: 1. AVOID DETRIMENTAL LIFESTYLE HABITS, OVERUSE OF MEDICATION, AND TOXINS THAT HARM YOUR IMMUNE FUNCTION. Do you know what harms your immune system? Specific foods such as sugars, refined carbohydrates, modern gluten, those that cause intolerance and inflammation, processed fats, and more can harm your immune system. Sedentary lifestyles can reduce your immune response. Inadequate sleep and high levels of stress are detrimental to immune function. And, as described above, any overuse of antibiotics can harm your immune defenses and reduce your own healthy bacteria’s ability to fight for you. 2. DO YOUR VERY BEST TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT, NORMALIZED BLOOD SUGARS, AND HEALTHY CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION. Unfortunately, overweight individuals are at a higher risk of abnormal blood sugars and cardiovascular issues. Both of these situations can increase the risk of infection and decrease the strength of immune defenses. It’s crucial to make lifestyle choices to support a healthy weight including reinforcing for the health of your digestive tract, cutting down on carbohydrates and sugars, and engaging in regular exercise. 3. SUPPORT HEALTHY IMMUNE FUNCTION DIRECTLY BY CARING FOR THE SPECIFIC ORGANS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. There are specific organs and systems responsible for healthy immune function. Your digestive tract is vitally important to immune function. Your kidneys, liver, lungs, and lymph system are crucial. How can you keep them healthy? You can give them the nutrients they need like fibers, probiotics and prebiotics, antioxidants, anti-inflammations, and more to stay strong. Then, cut out the foods and habits that harm them like drinking alcohol, eating inflammatory fats, overusing antibiotics, and more. One great step to supporting all your immune system organs is joining Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast. You can learn everything you need to remove the toxins that build up in our bodies and damage it while giving it the nutrients that support health. We Were Not Given a Spirit of Fear This is not intended to be a fear-inducing article, but timely information to encourage you to take charge of your health. We will have trouble in this world; we know that. There are many things that can attack us physically, spiritually, and mentally. However, we were not given a spirit of fear. We know we can meet challenges head-on, and that God has given us amazing bodies that can overcome the threats. He’s given us tools to keep our bodies healthy, and the desire to do so. You can do it. It’s time to work towards a healthy lifestyle, a healthy weight, and strong immune defenses. Bottom Line Superbugs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a real threat. They are nothing new, but with modern lifestyles they are becoming more powerful and more abundant. It’s vital to take control of your health and immune defenses. Join us in Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast to learn what you can do to stay healthy, support immune health, and be ready for any microbial threat that comes your way. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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Israeli Immune-Response Algorithm Could Aid TB Diagnosis

AHA Publisher — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 07:00:20 +0000

ISRAEL21c Staff via Israel21c – An Israeli algorithm that predicts the immune response to a pathogen could lead to early diagnosis for such diseases as tuberculosis. Just as first impressions set the stage for the entire course of a relationship, first impressions set the stage for how the cells of our immune system react when meeting a new microbe, according to Israeli researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science. This new insight led the researchers to develop an algorithm that may predict the onset of such diseases as tuberculosis. Their findings were published July 22 in Nature Communications. The phenomenon is explained by lead author Roi Avraham from the Institute’s Biological Regulation Department: “When immune cell and bacterium meet, there can be several outcomes –the immune system can kill the bacteria; the bacteria can overcome the immune defenses; or, in the case of diseases like tuberculosis, the bacterium can lie dormant for years, sometimes causing disease at a later stage and sometimes remaining in hibernation for good. We think that the junction in which one of those paths is chosen takes place some 24 to 48 hours after infection.” Noa Bossel Ben Moshe and Shelly Hen-Avivi in Avraham’s group began by introducing immune cells from blood samples to Salmonella bacteria. Using a method developed in recent years, partially at the Weizmann Institute, they sequenced the gene activity in thousands of immune cells to see what each cell looked like as it responded to the Salmonella and mapped the activation profiles of each. This process revealed patterns not seen in standard lab tests, and it seemed to confirm their hypothesis – there were indeed differences that enabled them to trace responses from the initial meetings to the later outcomes. Hoping to connect their results to real-time blood tests in real patients, the scientists developed an algorithm that would then enable them to extract similar information individual blood cells from standard data sets. “The algorithm we developed,” said Bossel Ben Moshe, “can not only define the ensemble of immune cells that take part in the response, it can reveal their activity levels and thus the potential strength of the immune response.” The first test of the algorithm was in blood samples taken from healthy people in The Netherlands. These samples were infected, in a lab dish, with Salmonella bacteria, and the immune response recorded. Comparisons with existing genomic analysis methods showed that the standard methods did not uncover differences between groups, while the Israeli algorithm revealed significant differences tied to later variations in bacteria-killing abilities. Then they tested whether the same algorithm can be used to diagnose the onset of tuberculosis, which is caused by a bacterium that often chooses the third way – dormancy — and thus can hide out in the body for years. Millions Still Die of TB Every Year Up to a third of the world’s population carries the tuberculosis bacterium, though only a small percentage of these become ill. Still, some two million die of the disease each year, mostly in underdeveloped areas of China, Russia and Africa. The researchers applied their algorithm to blood-test results found in a British database that followed patients and carriers for a period of two years. They found that the activity levels of immune cells called monocytes could be used to predict the onset or course of the disease. “The algorithm is based on the ‘first impressions’ of immune cells and Salmonella, which cause a very different type of illness than mycobacterium tuberculosis,” said Hen-Avivi. “Still, we were able to predict, early on, which of the carriers would develop the active form of the disease.” Once tuberculosis symptoms appear, patients have to take three different antibiotics over the course of nine months, and antibiotic resistance has become rampant in these bacteria. “If those who are at risk of active disease could be identified when the bacterial load is smaller, their chances of recovery will be better,” explained Avraham. The researchers intend to expand their own database on tuberculosis and other pathogens so to as to refine the algorithm and work on developing the tools that may, in the future, be used to predict who will develop full-blown infectious diseases. To read the original article click here. For more articles by Israel21c click here.

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Proven Colloidal Silver Benefits Or An Unsafe Hoax?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 07:00:47 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS via Dr. Axe – Dating back to ancient times, silver was also a popular remedy to stop the spread of diseases. Its use as a natural antibiotic continued all the way until the 1940s, when modern antibiotics arrived. If you haven’t heard of colloidal silver, you will soon enough, especially if you’re on the lookout for alternative therapies to common health issues, such as a sinus infection or a cold. Most health food stores and pharmacies stock several brands of colloidal silver, and, of course, you can find a vast amount of information about colloidal silver benefits on the internet. Unfortunately, the information out there is confusing, as many sources have conflicting opinions. On one hand, you’ll run across thousands of personal testimonials about colloidal silver helping people with practically every disease you’ve heard about. You will also stumble upon some well-known health sites that warn consumers about safety concerns. Usually, these sources quote a statement made by the FDA in 1999 claiming that there is no scientific evidence to support the use of colloidal silver. This type of information can confuse even the most savvy natural health enthusiast, which is why I want to lend a helping hand and provide some evidenced-based information to help you make an informed choice about colloidal silver uses and benefits. What Is Colloidal Silver? Colloidal silver is a solution of water containing nanometre sized particles of suspended silver. The total silver content is expressed as milligrams of silver per litre of water, or mg/L, which is numerically the same as parts per million (ppm). Silver has been used for at least six thousand years to prevent microbial infections. It has proven to be effective against almost all organisms tested and it has played an important role in the development of radiology and in improving wound healing, according to research out of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Before the invention of the refrigerator, it was common practice to drop a silver coin into a container of milk as a preservative because silver was known to prevent the growth of algae, bacteria and other undesirable organisms. Dating back to ancient times, silver was also a popular remedy to stop the spread of diseases. Its use as a natural antibiotic continued all the way until the 1940s, when modern antibiotics arrived. Today, people obviously don’t need to drop silver coins into their water to experience colloidal silver benefits. All you need to do is carefully take a few drops from a bottle that you buy at the store. According to a report written by Richard Davies and Samuel Etris of The Silver Institute in a 1996, there are three primary ways that colloidal silver can supposedly help heal the body: 1. Catalytic Oxidation: Silver naturally holds onto oxygen molecules, which readily react with the sulfhydral (H) groups that surround bacterial and viruses. In turn, this helps block the life-preserving cellular process known as cellular respiration, which is the set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place within the cells of organisms in order to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products. 2. Reaction with Bacterial Cell Membranes: Silver ions can attach to bacteria cell membranes directly and produce the same respiration-blocking effect. 3. Binding with DNA: Shown to literally enter bacteria DNA, up to 12 percent of silver has been detected in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to one source, “While it remains unclear exactly how the silver binds to the DNA without destroying the hydrogen bonds holding the lattice together, it nevertheless prevents the DNA from unwinding, an essential step for cellular replication to occur.” There are basically three types of products that are marketed as “colloidal silver” and these can be categorized as: 1. Ionic silver Ionic silver solutions are products whose silver content primarily consists of silver ions. Although ionic silver is often marketed as colloidal silver, it’s not true colloidal silver. Because it’s the least expensive to produce, ionic silver is the most popular product in this category. The problem? It simply won’t produce the same benefits that true colloidal silver can. 2. Silver Protein In order to keep large silver particles suspended, silver protein-based products add gelatin. Silver protein is the second-most popular type of colloidal silver product on the market and can easily be made by adding water to silver protein powder. Again, it’s also often marketed and labeled as colloidal silver, but should not be confused for the real thing. Silver protein is less effective for human use, and you won’t experience the true colloidal silver benefits. 3. True Colloidal Silver Lastly, true silver colloids don’t contain any protein or other additives, as the vast majority of the silver content consists of nanometre-sized silver particles. This will be the most effective type of colloidal silver. Is Colloidal Silver Safe? There’s plenty of debate about the potential health risks of colloidal silver. So is it safe to use colloidal silver supplements or products? According to a review published in Environmental Health Perspectives, this is a controversial topic that has contenders on both sides. The review states “despite its widespread use, nanosilver remains a fairly poorly understood material to both regulators and scientists. Consensus remains elusive on subjects as essential as how it behaves in the human body and environment, and the extent to which its use may contribute to bacterial resistance.” Of course, there are two opposing arguments in this debate — what are being called “watchdog groups” that seize on the confusion surrounding colloidal silver side effects and safety, and advocate groups, like the Silver Nanotechnology Working Group, that proclaim its usefulness and safety, noting that most applications use extremely small quantities of silver in their formulas. What the research indicates is that misuse of colloidal silver, or choosing inexpensive, low-quality products that are not true colloidal silver, can cause adverse side effects. For instance, you may have come across warnings about it causing an irreversible condition called argyria, which is when people turn blue. This is usually caused by cheaper products marketed as colloidal silver, such as ionic silver or silver protein. Although the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health reports that colloidal silver may cause poor absorption of some drugs, including antibiotics and thyroxine, which is used to treat thyroid deficiency, there is limited research proving that these side effects to colloidal silver exist. There is evidence that using colloidal silver for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis is not only effective, but safe when used as a sinus rinse for 10 days. Researchers found that colloidal silver rinses demonstrated a good safety profile with no major adverse events. A lab study published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology found that when the human lung is exposed to silver nanoparticles, it does not cause adverse effects. Lung cells were only sensitive to high silver-ion concentrations. A 2016 study conducted at the University of Michigan found that when oral doses of silver nanoparticles were administered for 28 days, it did not alter the structure or diversity of the animal gut microbiome. This is in contrast to the detrimental effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Many advocates are pointing to this study when suggesting the beneficial use of colloidal silver for pets. And in a summary of literature published in Frontiers in Microbiology, researchers at concluded that although there are some concerns and controversies related to nano’s safe use in human disease treatment and healthcare, the research that has been done suggests that it can be engineered to “enhance its antimicrobial efficacy, stability, specificity, biosafety and biocompatibility for increased therapeutic benefits and reduced potential side effects.” From the current research, my take is that colloidal silver may work as a potential antimicrobial agent, but it needs to be used appropriately. Only true colloidal silver should be used and studies indicate that short-term use does not cause adverse side effects. One point to consider is that, because colloidal silver is such a potent antibacterial agent, you should be sure to supplement with probiotics during use to be sure that you maintain a proper balance of microflora. 8 Colloidal Silver Uses and Benefits By having a direct effect on cellular respiration, colloidal silver benefits the body in numerous ways, including providing numerous medical uses. There are eight proven healing properties that I consider to be particularly supported by the medical literature. 1. Antibacterial and Antimicrobial First, colloidal silver’s ability to control antibiotic-resistant superbugs is impressive. While employed at UCLA Medical School in the 1980s, Doctor Larry C. Ford documented over 650 different disease-causing pathogens that were destroyed in minutes when exposed to small amounts of silver. Colloidal silver, unlike its modern prescription antibiotic counterpart, simply doesn’t create resistance or immunity in the organisms that are killed by it. This point cannot be emphasized enough, especially in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reporting that more than 2 million people in the U.S. suffer illness every year as a result of antibiotic-resistant infections and 23,000 die from these infections. In addition, a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine supported ionic colloidal silver as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, but its activity wasn’t as pronounced against fungi. 2. Wound Care/Skin Health Robert O. Becker, MD, says that colloidal silver stimulates healing in the skin and other soft tissues. In a research article produced by Pharmacognosy Communications in 2012, it was specifically recommended that certain colloidal silver preparations should be considered for topical use to treat burns, thrush, periodontitis and other conditions. For instance, you can potentially treat ringworm (Tinea capitis) at home with colloidal silver because it’s a potent anti-fungal. Caused by a fungus that lives on the top layer of the skin, ringworm presents as round, scaly patches. It’s contagious and spread by skin contact and by contaminated materials, such as clothing. Colloidal silver benefits many skins conditions as well, including psoriasis and eczema. It’s soothing to scrapes and even repairs tissue damage from burns. In fact, a colloidal silver-based nanogel was successfully used as a dressing for superficial pellet gun wounds in a Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care study. Such silver nanoparticle-based gel dressings for wounds or even chronic wounds are becoming more common. Topical silver historically was used on burns, but usage stopped after the advent of antibiotics, until the 1960s when it kicked back into popularity. The combination of silver nitrate and sodium sulfadiazine to create SSD cream helped lead to burn recovery in many patients. Applying a silver coating to specialized foam, as part of a wound vacuum system, provides antibacterial activity in vitro. According to research, this technology may assist in preparing infected chronic venous stasis wounds for skin grafting, ultimately leading to better healing. 3. Pink Eye/Ear Infections Although more research is needed to understand its full potential, the antiviral and antibacterial properties of colloidal silver may allow it to fight some common infections. Pink eye is an inflamed mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and eyelid lining, and it’s primarily caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Colloidal silver can be used for prompt action against this irritating and highly infectious virus and bacteria under the care of your doctor. When applied on the infected eye, the tiny silver colloids are used to pick up the infected cells by attracting them electromagnetically and sending them into the bloodstream to be eliminated. Our modern prescription antibiotic drugs are designed to work against specific classes of bacteria, but ear infections may be caused by multiple classes of bacteria or can even be fungal. In this case, the prescription antibiotic will be useless, whereas colloidal silver is effective regardless of what may be causing your infection. Again, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and safety of colloidal silver for pink eye, ear infections and other bacterial or viral issues, but we do know that it’s a powerful antimicrobial agent that...

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Local Startup Testing a One-Two Punch Against Hard-to-Heal Wounds

AHA Publisher — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 07:00:04 +0000

University of Wisconsin-Madison via News Wise – Silver’s antimicrobial activity rests on its ability to punch holes in the bacterial cell wall, but a biofilm can block that exposure. Chemically, gallium ions resemble a form of iron that cells use to gain chemical energy through the process of reduction. Newswise — MADISON, Wis. — Millions of people with severe burns or diabetic skin ulcers could benefit from an experimental enhancement to a next-generation covering that is already healing difficult wounds. A $1.5 million, two-year Small Business Innovation Research grant announced today will test whether adding gallium metal ions to an ultra-thin material carrying antimicrobial silver can defeat the “biofilms” that shield bacteria from antibiotics. Persistent wounds are distressingly common, says Ankit Agarwal, founder and CEO of Imbed Biosciences, the Fitchburg, Wisconsin-based University of Wisconsin–Madison spinoff that makes and sells the silver-bearing covering. According to a scientific report published in August 2019, “In the United States, chronic ulcers affect more than 6 million people, with increasing numbers in the growing elderly and diabetic populations.” In many cases, the chronic wounds remain open for months, due to difficult-to-treat infections that are often shielded by a biofilm. Imbed’s silver-covering technology was invented in the lab of Nicholas Abbott, then a professor of chemical engineering at UW–Madison. Abbott guided Agarwal’s postdoctoral studies on the technology. Imbed’s existing product, called MicroLyte, was cleared by the FDA for marketing in the U.S. in August 2016. MicroLyte is on the formulary of five major hospital systems, including UW Health, and is used in more than a dozen other hospitals across the country. “The formulary is a list of medications readily available for use at a hospital or health system,” Agarwal says. MicroLyte contains a tiny dose of metallic silver particles on an absorbable polymeric multilayer film. Flexible and only 25 micrometers thick (thinner than a human hair), the covering places silver in direct contact with bacteria. MicroLyte can eliminate the painful process of repeated removal that is needed when conventional bandages are replaced on tenacious wounds. Silver’s antimicrobial activity rests on its ability to punch holes in the bacterial cell wall, but a biofilm can block that exposure. Chemically, gallium ions resemble a form of iron that cells use to gain chemical energy through the process of reduction. “Bacteria inside the biofilm are looking for more iron, so they end up taking up gallium,” Agarwal says. But gallium ions cannot be reduced, and the bacteria atrophy for want of energy, helping to break up the biofilm. “So in return for accepting a worthless ‘Trojan horse,’ the bacteria are exposed to silver — the second punch — and they will die. By placing nanometer-sized particles of both metals on the ultra-thin film, “we are using levels of both metals that are so low that they are not toxic to human cells, placed on a film that actually supports growth of skin cells,” Agarwal says. Under the new grant, silver plus gallium will be tested on full-thickness wounds in pigs in the UW–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. “To simulate chronic wounds, we will surgically create wounds and inoculate them with pre-established biofilms of antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” says Jonathan McAnulty, chief of surgery at the vet school. “Healing in porcine skin wounds is similar to healing in humans.” McAnulty will head the animal studies in collaboration with Charles Czuprynski, chair of pathobiological sciences. Both researchers have worked for years with the silver-based dressings. “We see animals with skin injuries that get colonized by bad actors,” says McAnulty, “including different strains of antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus. These wounds don’t want to heal, despite our best efforts, and can go weeks or months without progress. This clinical scenario is almost identical to human cases.” Although the silver-bearing covering is highly effective in healing infections and closing many difficult wounds, the gallium is intended to enhance that activity by defeating bacterial biofilms. “Behind a biofilm, bacteria are more protected against any agent trying to get in and kill them,” says McAnulty. “If we can prevent the biofilm from forming, or if it is present and we can get it to dissolve, it will expose the bacteria to killing agents.” Research at the veterinary school has already shown that the combination film can “completely disperse the bacteria biofilms created by a mix of two pathogenic bacteria,” Agarwal says. “Treatment with a commercial, silver-based dressing — not MicroLyte — had no effect.” Angela Gibson, a burn surgeon and medical director of UW Health wound healing services, has used MicroLyte on patients of all ages when conventional products have failed. “The property that I find unique in MicroLyte is the total conformation to the wound bed as the thin film melts into all the crevices of a wound likely where the bacteria are hiding and preventing healing. It is also very easy to apply and may decrease irritation, such as itching, caused by other products.” Gibson says she looks forward to a clinical trial of the product to determine if her experience holds true in a larger study of patients. Finding metal ions to defeat bacteria is simpler than the usual approach of finding or inventing molecules, Agarwal says. “We like to keep it simple. We already had silver working, but we thought, ‘Let’s take another metal, one that’s has been used in other FDA-approved formulations, and put it into the matrix in combination with silver, and see if it gets into the biofilm and sensitizes the bacteria to silver, which will kill it.” An aging population, rising rates of diabetes, and a growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria all portend a bigger problem with persistent wounds. If gallium’s Trojan horse strategy proves able to defeat biofilms, that will be a first, Agarwal says. “Today there is no commercially available formulation that is indicated for dispersal of biofilm in a wound. Zero.” To read the original article click here.

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