Natural Standard Blog

Selenium Supplements and HIV

A new study found that selenium supplementation in mothers infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) did not affect disease progression, but may improve child survival.

Selenium is a trace mineral found in soil, water and some foods. It is an essential element in several metabolic pathways.

Selenium supplementation has been studied in HIV/AIDS patients, and some reports associate low selenium levels with complications such as heart failure. It remains unclear if selenium supplementation is beneficial in patients with HIV, particularly during antiretroviral therapy.

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health, investigated the effects of selenium supplementation in 913 HIV-positive pregnant women. They assessed whether daily selenium supplements could impact CD4 cell counts, viral load, pregnancy outcomes and maternal and infant mortality.

Women between 12 and 27 weeks of gestation received either 200 micrograms of selenium (supplied as selenomethionine) or placebo. The treatments were taken daily by mouth until six months after delivery. In addition, all of the women received prenatal iron, folic acid and multivitamin supplements.

The study found that the selenium regimen had no significant effect on maternal CD4 cell counts or viral load. Selenium was marginally associated with a reduced risk of low birth weight and increased risk of fetal death, but had no effect on risk of prematurity or small-for-gestational age birth. The regimen had no significant effect on maternal mortality. There was no significant effect on neonatal or overall child mortality, but selenium reduced the risk of child mortality after six weeks.

The study authors concluded that while selenium supplements given during and after pregnancy may not improve HIV disease progression or pregnancy outcomes, they may improve child survival.

HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. HIV primarily attacks the immune system. Because AIDS patients have weakened immune systems they are extremely vulnerable to infections.

HIV primarily infects and destroys immune cells with the CD4 receptor protein on their cell surfaces. Healthy individuals have a CD4 cell count between 600 and 1,200 cells per microliter of blood. HIV patients have less than 600 CD4 cells per microliter of blood.

Patients progress to AIDS when/if their CD4 cell counts drop to lower than 200 cells per microliter (one-one millionth of a liter) of blood.

Since 1981, when the first case of AIDS was reported in the United States, the disease has become a global pandemic, causing an estimated 65 million infections and 25 million deaths worldwide.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 2.8 million patients died from AIDS, 4.1 million people became infected with HIV and 38.6 million were living with HIV worldwide in 2005.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update, an estimated 39.5 million people are currently living with HIV worldwide. It is also estimated that 4.3 million people became newly infected in 2006, with 2.8 million (65 percent) of these cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2006, 2.9 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Certain geographic regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, have much higher rates of infection than others. Some populations, such as Sub-Saharan women, men who have sex with men (MSM), prostitutes and injection-drug users, are also at increased risk for HIV infection.

Currently, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, treatment with anti-HIV drugs, called antiretrovirals, may suppress the virus, which subsequently helps boost the immune system. Although these drugs may help patients live longer lives, they do not reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to someone else.

For more information on HIV/AIDS, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database. For more information on selenium, please visit Natural Standard’s Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Anti-Viral Plants

Three recent studies reviewed the anti-viral activity of Japanese wasabi, the Chinese herb Elsholtzia rugulosa and the fruit Chaenomeles sinensis.

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a contagious infection of the respiratory system that is caused by influenza viruses, including types A, B and C.

Flu viruses are transmitted through the air in tiny droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Individuals are then exposed to the virus through inhalation or by contact with objects such as telephones, door handles, railings or computer keyboards. The virus may cause infection when it enters the eyes, nose or mouth.

In general, the flu is more debilitating than the common cold. Symptoms such as fever, body ache, extreme fatigue (tiredness) and dry cough are often more severe in flu than in the common cold.

A study conducted by researchers in Japan examined wasabi (Wasabia japonica), which has traditionally been used as a spice in Japanese foods for its pungent taste and flavor.

The wasabi roots (or rhizomes) and its winter leaves are used as a spice and for processed foods such as pickled wasabi. Because the summer leaves are much larger than winter leaves, the researchers investigated the summer leaves, which would otherwise be discarded.

Previous studies have shown the antiviral activity of the winter leaves. The researchers found that the extracts of summer leaves exhibited the same anti-influenza virus activity as winter leaves and showed a stronger activity than stems, roots and rhizomes.

The study authors concluded that a potent anti-influenza virus activity was discovered in summer leaves of Japanese wasabi; the extracts inhibited influenza virus replication regardless of the hemagglutinin antigen type. Hemagglutinin or haemagglutinin is a protein found on the surface of the influenza viruses responsible for binding the virus to the cell that is being infected.

In a related study, researchers from China examined Elsholtzia rugulosa, a common Chinese herb widely used in the treatment of cold and fever.

They found five active constituents, all flavonoids, possessed anti-influenza virus activity. The flavonoids apigenin and luteolin exhibited the highest activities against the influenza virus.

Finally, another Japanese study evaluated the anti-influenza virus activity of 50 percent ethanol extract of the fruit of Chaenomeles sinensis K(OEHNE), which is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat throat diseases.

Type A and B influenza viruses were exposed to the extract at various concentrations for one hour at room temperature; then the plaque titers of the treated viruses were determined.

The study found that treatment with the extract at concentrations greater than 5 milligrams/milliliter reduced the plaque titers of the both viruses to less than 10 percent compared untreated viruses. The treatment inhibited viral activity as well.

The authors concluded that high molecular weight polyphenols in the fruits of C. sinensis may neutralize the influenza virus.

Every year in the United States, on average 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, such as dehydration, high fever and extreme fatigue. About 36,000 people die from flu every year.

Some patients, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions that lower immunity, including cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu. Children may also frequently spread the virus to others due to bad hygiene, such as sneezing without covering the nose and mouth.

Treatment for the flu includes bed rest and plenty of fluids, along with symptomatic treatment such as drugs to fight viral infections, reduce fever and help with sore throat and cough. Annual flu vaccinations may help reduce the risks of flu infection. For more information, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions database.

Mud for Arthritis Pain

Mud may significantly improve pain in knee osteoarthritis patients, a new study suggests.

Mud bath therapy has been studied as a potential therapy in patients with osteoarthrosis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatism (children and adults), fertility conditions and chronic encephalopathies. Mud bath therapy may have anti-inflammatory effects, although additional study is needed in humans to confirm this finding.

Researchers from the Gulhane School of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey, investigated the efficacy of mud pack treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. They also examined the chemical factors in the mud that lead to the build up of these effects.

They assigned 60 patients to receive either a directly applied mud pack or a nylon-covered mud pack. In the mud group (directly applied mud), 30 patients had heated mud, up to 43 degrees Celsius, applied 15 times to both knees for 30 minutes. In the control group (nylon-covered mud), 30 had the same treatment as the study group except the heated mud was applied over an impermeable nylon pack.

The patients were evaluated before and after the intervention and followed up for 24 weeks at four-week intervals.

The study found that compared to baseline, significant decreases were observed in arthritis scores, pain intensity, disease severity index scores and pain reliever consumption in both groups after the intervention. Observed improvements in the study group were found to be superior to the control during the whole post-intervention follow-up, except for pain reliever consumption in the third week. A significant number of patients in the study group showed minimal clinically important improvement as compared to the control group.

The authors concluded that mud pack treatment significantly improved the pain and functional status of patients with knee osteoarthritis, whether applied directly or coated with nylon. Direct application was found to be superior, which implies chemical properties of the mud may contribute to the build up of the therapeutic effect.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthrosis, occurs when the cartilage in the joints begins to break down. The cartilage serves as a cushion between bones, allowing the joint to move without pain. Therefore, individuals with osteoarthritis experience pain and reduced mobility in their joints where cartilage is degrading. Osteoarthritis may affect any joint in the body.

It is estimated that 40 million Americans and 70-90 percent of persons older than 75 years are affected by osteoarthritis. Although symptoms of osteoarthritis occur earlier in women (around the ages of 50-55), the prevalence among men and women is equal in older ages. In addition to age, risk factors include joint injury, obesity and mechanical stress, such as joint stress when pitching a baseball or playing tennis.

For more information, please visit Natural Standard’s Medical Conditions and Health and Wellness databases.

FDA: Fake Cancer Cures Warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products that fraudulently claim to prevent and cure cancer. The FDA also warns North American consumers against using or purchasing these products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves and creams, and are sold under various names on the Internet.

The products contain ingredients such as bloodroot, shark cartilage, coral calcium, cesium, ellagic acid, cat's claw, an herbal tea called Essiac® and mushroom varieties such as Agaricus Blazei, shitake, maitake and reishi.

Those companies and individuals warned, the complete list of fake cancer 'cure' products and their manufacturers along with a consumer article on health scams can be found by clicking here.

The FDA urges consumers to consult their healthcare providers about discontinuing use of these products and to seek appropriate medical attention if they have experienced any adverse effects.

Because these products claim to cure, treat, mitigate or prevent disease but have not been shown to be safe and effective for their labeled conditions of use, they are unapproved new drugs marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The Warning Letters are part of the FDA's ongoing efforts, in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Canadian government agencies, to prevent deceptive products from reaching consumers.

Parties that fail to properly resolve violations cited in Warning Letters are subject to enforcement action up to and including seizure of illegal products, injunction and possible criminal prosecution.

Consumers and healthcare professionals should notify the FDA of any complaints or problems associated with these products.

Paclitaxel from Yew for Breast Cancer

A new study suggests that paclitaxel, originally derived from the Pacific yew tree, may improve survival in women with breast cancer.

Taxanes are compounds produced by plants in the genus Taxus, such as the Pacific yew tree. Researchers from Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group in Philadelphia, PA, compared the efficacy of two different taxanes, docetaxel and paclitaxel, given either weekly or every three weeks, in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

Paclitaxel is isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) and is available under the brand name Taxol®. As early as 1971, paclitaxel was used as an anti-tumor drug in clinical trials run by the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Taxol® has succeeded in treating advanced ovarian and breast cancers in clinical trials.

Paclitaxel is now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is hailed as one of the most significant advances in cancer chemotherapy in recent history.

In the study, 4,950 women with axillary lymph node-positive or high-risk lymph node-negative breast cancer first received four cycles of intravenous doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide at three-week intervals and were then assigned to paclitaxel or docetaxel, given intravenously at either three-week intervals for four cycles, or at one-week intervals for 12 cycles. The primary end point was disease-free survival.

Compared to patients receiving the standard therapy of paclitaxel every three weeks, the odds ratio for disease-free survival was 1.27 among those receiving weekly paclitaxel, 1.23 among those receiving docetaxel every three weeks and 1.09 among those receiving weekly docetaxel.

As compared with standard therapy, the study found that weekly paclitaxel was associated with improved survival. In a subgroup of patients whose tumors expressed no human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 protein, an exploratory analysis found similar improvements in disease-free and overall survival with weekly paclitaxel treatment regardless of hormone-receptor expression. Grade 2, 3 or 4 neuropathy (nerve pain) was more frequent with weekly paclitaxel than with paclitaxel every three weeks (27 percent vs. 20 percent).

The study authors concluded that weekly paclitaxel after standard adjuvant chemotherapy may improve disease-free and overall survival in women with breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will be hosting its National Race for the Cure® 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, June 7, 2008 in Washington, DC, on the National Mall. For more information on this race, please click here. Komen has dedicated nearly $1 billion to creating awareness and finding a cure for breast cancer, making it the nation's largest private funding source for breast health and breast cancer.

For more information on yew, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database. For more information on breast cancer, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

Papaya and Immunity

A fermented papaya preparation may help boost immunity, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Japan explained that fermented papaya preparation from yeast fermentation of Carica papaya Linn. is a natural health food that is commercially sold in their country.

Previous research revealed that fermented papaya preparation has antioxidant activity. However, the effect of fermented papaya preparation on allergic diseases remains unclear.

The study investigated whether the oral administration of fermented papaya preparation to mice restrained two types of contact hypersensitivity models.

The study authors found that the oral administration of the fermented papaya preparation may have a therapeutic potential for the prevention of contact hypersensitive immuno-response.

Immune system disorders occur when the body's immune system does not function properly. The immune system is a complex network of cells, proteins, tissues and organs that work together to fight off harmful substances and disease-causing microorganisms called pathogens. A healthy immune system helps protect the body from disease and infection.

An immune system disorder can be classified as either an autoimmune disorder or an immune deficiency.

Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakes body cells for harmful invaders, such as bacteria, and attacks them. Autoimmune disorders can destroy body tissues, cause abnormal organ growth and/or impair organ function.

Immune deficiencies occur when an individual's ability to fight against an infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent. Patients who suffer from immune deficiencies experience recurrent infections, such as sinusitis and pneumonia. There are two main types of immune deficiencies: primary immune deficiencies and secondary immune deficiencies.

Primary immune deficiencies are disorders that occur because part of the body's immune system does not function properly. These disorders are caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system. Some primary immune deficiencies are inherited, which means they are passed down through family members. Individuals who have primary immune deficiencies are born with the disorders.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified nearly 100 primary immune deficiency diseases, including X-linked agammaglobulinemia (Bruton's Disease), common variable immune deficiency (CVID) and selective immunoglobulin A deficiency.

Secondary immune deficiencies are caused by factors outside of the body, such as chemotherapy treatment, radiation therapy, malnutrition, HIV infection and diabetes. In addition, diseases, such as leukemia and multiple myeloma, cause cancerous immune cells to infiltrate the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing immune system cells. Secondary immune deficiency also occurs among critically ill patients and the elderly.

Secondary immune deficiencies usually resolve once the underlying illness is treated or the outside factor is eliminated. For instance, immune deficiencies caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy generally resolve once treatment is completed.

Papain is an enzyme found in papaya (Carica papaya) fruit latex. In standard western medical care, papain-containing debridement agents are commonly used to remove necrotic tissue and slough in burns, postoperative wounds, pilonidal cyst wounds, carbuncles, trauma wounds, infected wounds and chronic lesions, such as pressure ulcers, varicose veins and diabetic ulcers.

Papain is also used in some traditional medicine for wound healing, specifically in Africa for burn debridement and healing stimulation. A few clinical studies seem to support this use. In addition, there is some interest in the use of other papain-like enzymes for osteoporosis, arthritis, vascular diseases and cancer. However, there is currently little available research indicating that papain itself would be useful for these conditions.

For more information on papaya or immunity, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements and Medical Conditions databases.

Oriental Herb for Ovarian Cancer

A compound isolated from a traditional oriental medicinal herb may be a useful adjuvant therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancers, a new study suggests.

Endometrial cancer, carcinoma of the lining of the uterus, is the most common gynecologic malignancy, comprising approximately 95 percent of all uterine cancers diagnosed. Approximately 40,000 American women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer each year, making it the fourth most common cancer found in women after breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Endometrial cancer is most prevalent after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70.

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which normal ovarian cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled, abnormal manner and produce tumors in one or both ovaries. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer ranks fifth in total cancer deaths among women. It is estimated that about 20,000 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer every year. About 15,000 deaths from ovarian cancer will occur in American women during that same time frame.

Researchers from Oita University Faculty of Medicine in Oita, Japan, explained that beta-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (beta-HIVS), a compound isolated from the traditional oriental medicinal herb Lithospermum radix, may kill cancer cells.

The study investigated the effect of beta-HIVS on three endometrial cancer cell lines, two ovarian cancer cell lines and normal human endometrial epithelial cells.

Endometrial and ovarian cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of beta-HIVS, and its effect on cell growth, cell cycle, cell death and related measurements was investigated.

The study found that all endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines were sensitive to the growth-inhibitory effect of beta-HIVS, although normal endometrial epithelial (outer layer) cells were viable after treatment with the same doses of beta-HIVS that induced growth inhibition in endometrial and ovarian cancer cells.

The study authors concluded that the anticancer activity of beta-HIVS may occur with higher sensitivity of cancer cells compared with normal healthy cells, when using low concentration. This evidence suggests that beta-HIVS may become a useful adjuvant therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancers.

For more information on gynecological cancers, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

 

Curcumin and Diabetes

A new study suggests that curcumin, a yellow pigment of the spice turmeric, may lower blood sugar, and therefore, may help treat diabetes.

Turmeric has been used in Asian food preparation, medicine, cosmetics and fabric dying for more than 2,000 years. Marco Polo described turmeric in his memoirs, and the herb became popular in Europe during Medieval times for its coloring value and medicinal uses.

Traditionally, turmeric has been used to improve gastrointestinal upset, arthritis and overall body energy. As an ingredient in foods, turmeric provides a yellow tint, as well as flavoring to curry dishes. Turmeric also plays a role in some Indian religious ceremonies. It is produced most extensively in India, but it is also cultivated in other countries in Asia and Central America.

Curcumin is the main constituent extracted from the roots of turmeric. During the 1970s, research began to focus on the pharmacological properties of turmeric and curcumin, particularly regarding possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Researchers from Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea, investigated the effect of curcumin on insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis in male mice and their age-matched lean non-diabetic mice. The mice were fed with or without curcumin for six weeks.

The study found that curcumin significantly lowered blood sugar levels and it suppressed body weight loss in diabetic mice.

The study authors concluded that curcumin seemed to be a potential glucose-lowering agent and antioxidant in type 2 diabetic mice, it but had no effect in non-diabetic mice.

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic health condition where the body is unable to produce enough insulin and properly break down sugar (glucose) in the blood. Glucose comes from food and is used by the cells for energy. Glucose is also made in the liver. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. Insulin is needed to move sugar into the cells where it can be used for energy needed for body processes.

Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. The disease often leads to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations and nerve damage. Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy, and birth defects are more common in babies born to women with diabetes. Pregnant women can temporarily develop gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that begins late in pregnancy.

In 2007, an estimated 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or seven percent of the population, had diabetes. An estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), while 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognize diabetes as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with over 72,000 deaths in 2004.

Integrative Therapies for Spring Allergies

Warmer weather, blossoming trees and budding flowers, the hopeful markers of spring, are also bearers of bad news for allergy sufferers. Integrative therapies with good scientific evidence for allergies are available.

 

A recent review conducted by researchers from the Department of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, England, evaluated the efficacy of herbal medicines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The authors reported that there is encouraging evidence suggesting that butterbur may be an effective herbal treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. There are also promising results generated for other herbal products, particularly Aller-7 (an Indian herbal combination), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi, an herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae indigenous to the tropical areas of India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka), Perilla frutescens (Green Shiso, an ornamental plant in the Lamiaceae family) and several Chinese herbal medicines.

 

The plants butterbur and bromelain, probiotics and nasal irrigation therapy have been found to have positive effects on allergy symptoms.

 

Butterbur is a perennial shrub found throughout Europe as well as parts of Asia and North America. It is usually found in wet, marshy ground, in damp forests and adjacent to rivers or streams. The leaves of the plant are responsible for its botanical and common names. The common name is attributed to the large leaves that have been used to wrap butter during warm weather.

 

Butterbur has been traditionally used as an antispasmodic and analgesic (pain reliever), specifically for conditions afflicting the stomach, bile ducts and duodenum (part of the small intestine). Butterbur is believed to help strengthen digestion and improve obstructed bile flow. Butterbur has also been given for inflammation of the urinary tract and cramps. There is compelling initial evidence from human trials to suggest benefits in the prevention of migraine headache. Evidence in support of the use for allergic rhinitis prevention is also promising.

 

Comparisons of butterbur to prescription drugs, such as fexofenadine (Allegra®) and cetirizine (Zyrtec®), have reported similar efficacy. These results suggest benefits of butterbur for the prevention of allergic rhinitis. Additional study is warranted before a strong recommendation can be made.

 

Classified as an herb, bromelain is a sulfur-containing digestive enzyme that is extracted from the stem and the fruit of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus, family Bromeliaceae). When taken with meals, bromelain assists in the digestion of proteins; when taken on an empty stomach, it acts medicinally as an anti-inflammatory agent.

 

Bromelain was introduced in 1957 and has been used in many clinical trials. Its use in digestion, inflammation and sinusitis has been substantiated by clinical evidence.

 

It is proposed that bromelain may be a useful addition to other therapies used for sinusitis (such as antibiotics) due to its ability to reduce inflammation/swelling. Studies report mixed results, although overall bromelain appears to be beneficial for reducing swelling and improving breathing. Better studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

 

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria (sometimes referred to as "friendly germs") that help to maintain the health of the intestinal tract and aid in digestion. They also help keep potentially harmful organisms in the gut (harmful bacteria and yeasts) under control. Most probiotics come from food sources, especially cultured milk products. They can be consumed as capsules, tablets, beverages, powders, yogurts and other foods.

 

Probiotics work by colonizing the small intestine and crowding out disease-causing organisms, thereby restoring proper balance to the intestinal flora. They compete with harmful organisms for nutrients and may also produce substances that inhibit growth of harmful organisms in the gut.

 

Probiotic bacteria have been found to stimulate the body's immune system. They may also aid in several gastrointestinal illnesses such as inflammatory bowel diseases, antibiotic-related diarrhea, Clostridium difficile toxin-induced colitis, infectious diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome and allergies.

 

The use of probiotic Enterococcus faecalis bacteria in hypertrophic sinusitis (sinus inflammation) may reduce the frequency of relapses and the need for antibiotic therapy. Only a small variety of probiotic combinations have been studied in the treatment of allergies, mostly with children, teenagers and young adults. Studies of inhalant allergy conditions, such as allergic rhinitis (nasal inflammation and discharge), during pollen season have had mixed results. Some studies have found no benefits, while others have found benefit from adding probiotics to fermented milk.

 

There is also evidence that yogurt may improve or prevent the recurrence of allergic rhinitis. Studies of allergic skin reactions in infants (allergic dermatitis, atopic eczema) suggest that supplementation, including for breastfeeding mothers, may reduce frequency, symptom levels and duration.

 

Yoga enthusiasts have used the technique of nasal irrigation for thousands of years to clear the sinus cavity and also to clear the mind. There is growing scientific evidence to support its practice since proponents believe that it is more natural, soothing, almost harmless and cheaper than many over-the-counter medications. It is also devoid of side effects, such as drowsiness and nausea, often associated with these medications.

 

Nasal irrigation is used to clear the sinuses and can be performed by the patient at home or by a professional up to twice daily provided the mucous membranes are not irritated by the procedure.

 

The three forms of nasal irrigation therapies used in clinical trials have been saline lavage, which uses a warm liquid solution; humidified warm air lavage (hyperthermia); and large-particle nebulized aerosol therapy, which uses aerosolized saline solution. Occasionally, antibiotics are added to the solution.

 

Studies support the use of hypertonic saline for nasal irrigation. There is good evidence in support of nasal irrigation for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. There is promising early evidence for using nasal irrigation in treating common colds, respiratory symptoms from occupational exposure and in post-operative care following sinus or nasal surgeries.

Airborne® to Pay $23.3 Million for False Advertising

The makers of Airborne®, a multivitamin and herbal supplement whose labels and ads falsely claimed that the product cures and prevents colds, will refund money to consumers who bought the product, as part of a $23.3 million class action settlement, reports the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Additionally, the company will pay for ads in several magazines and newspapers with instructions for consumers on how to get refunds.

Airborne® was created by second-grade teacher Victoria Knight McDowell and her screenwriter husband Thomas Rider McDowell; it promised to "boost your immune system to help your body combat germs" and instructed users to "take it at the first sign of a cold symptom or before entering crowded, potentially germ-infested environments."

CSPI reports that the company's slogan "created by a school teacher!" and insistence that the product be stocked with real cold, cough and flu medicines instead of with dietary supplements added to its success.

In February 2006, states the CSPI press release, ABC News revealed on Good Morning America that Airborne's much-touted lone clinical trial was actually conducted without any doctors or scientists, just a "two-man operation started up just to do the Airborne study."

After the plaintiff notified Airborne of his intent to file suit in March 2006, the company stopped mentioning the study and began toning down the overt cold-curing claims in favor of vague "immunity-boosting" language.

In 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a group of state attorneys general began investigating the various "cold-busting" claims that Airborne® has made since its launch in 1999; the investigations are continuing.

Airborne's basic formula contains: vitamins A, C, and E, other nutrients common in multivitamins, the amino acids glutamine and lysine and an "herbal extract proprietary blend." CSPI cautions that Airborne® may provide too much vitamin A since just two pills provide 10,000 IU, the maximum safe level for a day, and the package directs customers to take three per day.

Consumers seeking refunds for purchases of Airborne® can obtain a claim form by writing to the Airborne Class Action Settlement Administrator, PO Box 1897, Faribault, MN 55021-7152, calling 1.888.952.9080 or by visiting www.AirborneHealthSettlement.com.

The class plaintiff was represented by California law firms who asked the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest's litigation project to join as co-counsel in late 2006 for its expertise in nutrition and labeling lawsuits.

Created in 2005, CSPI's litigation unit has successfully negotiated settlements that have resulted in improved food marketing and labeling practices. According to its Web site, CSPI is dedicated to "keep fighting for government policies and corporate practices that promote healthy diets, prevent deceptive marketing practices, and ensure that science is used to promote the public welfare."

Integrated Breathing and Relaxation Training for Asthma

An integrated breathing and relaxation technique may help ease the symptoms associated with asthma, a new study reports.

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease. The air passages within the lungs are constantly swollen, restricting the amount of air allowed to pass through the trachea. Asthmatics have recurrent breathing problems and a tendency to cough and wheeze.

According to the American Lung association, about 20 million Americans have asthma, which causes about 5,000 deaths each year. Asthma is incurable, but many medications and changes in behavior may help manage the condition.

Researchers from London, England, explained that an integrated breathing and relaxation technique known as the Papworth method has been implemented by physiotherapists since the 1960s for patients with asthma and dysfunctional breathing.

The study analyzed the effectiveness of the Papworth method in 85 patients (36 men) who were randomized to the control group (46 patients) or to the intervention group receiving five sessions of treatment by the Papworth method (39 patients). Both groups received usual medical care. Assessments were undertaken at baseline, post-treatment (six months after baseline) and at 12 months.

The study found that symptoms were slightly relieved in the intervention group; however, the groups did not differ significantly following the treatment on objective measures of respiratory function except for relaxed breathing rate.

The study authors concluded that the Papworth method appears to relieve respiratory symptoms, dysfunctional breathing and adverse mood compared with usual care. The authors suggested that further controlled trials are warranted to confirm this finding, assess the effect in other patient groups and determine whether there is some effect on objective measures of respiratory function.

Integrative therapies with good scientific evidence in the treatment of asthma include boswellia, choline, coleus, psychotherapy, Pycnogenol® and yoga.

For more information on asthma, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions or Allergy & Immunology database. For more information on the therapies mentioned in this article, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Plant Polyphenols for Bladder Cancer and Health

A recent animal study showing that plant polyphenols may lower the risk of cancer cell development adds to the existing research on resveratrol and quercetin. Polyphenols are plant-derived chemicals thought to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and skin rejuvenating capabilities.

Resveratrol is found in over 70 plant species including nuts, grapes, pine trees, certain vines and red wine. Some experts believe resveratrol may be a factor in the French paradox that coronary heart disease mortality in France is lower than other similar industrialized countries due to the frequent consumption of red wine.

Resveratrol has been shown in animal and laboratory studies to exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, antiproliferative, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial effects. However, data in humans is lacking.

At this time, there are no high-quality human trials available supporting the efficacy of resveratrol for any indication. However, there are several observational studies that correlate the consumption of wine with a decrease in cancer and/or cardiovascular disease risk. There are multiple possible contributing factors to these conditions, and studies of resveratrol are difficult to design and implement. Too much alcohol intake can actually be dangerous. Further research is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

Quercetin is a major flavonol, one of the almost 4,000 flavonoids (antioxidants) that occur in foods of plant origin, such as red wine, onions, green tea, apples, berries and brassica vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and turnips). It is also found in Gingko biloba, St. John's wort and American elder. It mainly occurs in plants as glycosides, such as rutin (quercetin rutinoside) in tea.

Quercetin and rutin are used in many countries as vasoprotectants (for blood vessel health) and are ingredients of numerous multivitamin preparations and herbal remedies. They occur mainly as glycosides or molecules in which a sugar part is bound to some other part. It is uncertain to what extent dietary flavonoid glycosides are absorbed from the gut. Flavonoids, dietary components in vegetables, fruits and beverages, may protect against coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer. However, the ability of the body to absorb these compounds is questionable.

Quercetin and other flavonols have a wide variety of biological effects, but the scientific evidence for use in prevention or treatment of disease is weak. Quercetin has been considered as a therapy for cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, cancers, diabetic cataracts, inflammation, ischemic injury, chronic prostatitis, chronic venous insufficiency, gastrointestinal ulceration, hepatitis, allergies, asthma, viral infections and hay fever.

Review of the literature shows several studies on the association with risk reduction for coronary heart disease and stroke, cancers and a few studies on other medical conditions. However, there is not strong evidence to support for any of these associations.

For more information on polyphenols, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements database.

New Study on Soy and Breast Cancer

A new study adds to the controversial relationship between soy consumption and breast cancer rates.

Soy and components of soy called "isoflavones" have been studied scientifically for numerous health conditions. Isoflavones are believed to have estrogen-like effects in the body, and as a result are sometimes called "phytoestrogens." In laboratory studies, it is not clear if isoflavones stimulate or block the effects of estrogen, or both.

Several large population studies have asked women about their eating habits and reported higher soy intake (such as dietary tofu) to be associated with a decreased risk of developing breast cancer. However, this type of research can only be considered preliminary, because people who choose to eat soy may also partake in other lifestyle decisions that may lower the risk of cancer. These other habits, rather than soy, could theoretically be the cause of the benefits seen in these studies (for example, lower fat intake, more frequent exercise and lack of smoking).

Researchers from Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan investigated whether soy foods really have protective effects against breast cancer and how their influence on breast cancer is modified according to menopausal status.

In the population-based, prospective cohort study, researchers analyzed the data from the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study. From 1988 to 1990, 30,454 women aged 40-79 years completed a questionnaire on diet and other lifestyle features.

In the study, during the mean follow-up of 7.6 years, 145 cases of breast cancer were documented. Researchers found no significant association between the risk of breast cancer and consumption of tofu, boiled beans and miso soup. Additionally, among postmenopausal women, no significant associations between soy foods and the risk of breast cancer were found.

The study concluded that the consumption of soy food has no protective effects against breast cancer. Further large-scale investigations eliciting genetic factors may clarify different roles of various soybean-ingredient foods on the risk of breast cancer.

For more information on breast cancer, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness and Medical Conditions databases.

FDA: New Flu Vaccine Approved

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Afluria®, an additional seasonal influenza vaccine for the immunization of people ages 18 and older.

According to the FDA, Afluria® is intended to protect adults from influenza type A and type B flu viruses. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause annual epidemics.

Influenza viruses are transmitted through the air in tiny droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. Individuals are then exposed to the virus through inhalation, or by contact with objects such as telephones, door handles, railings or computer keyboards. An infection may occur when the virus is then transferred to the eyes, nose or mouth.

Every year in the United States, an average five to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, such as dehydration (loss of water), high fever (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit) and extreme fatigue. About 36,000 people die from flu every year.

Some patients, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions that lower immunity, including cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), are at high risk for serious flu complications. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu.

The approval of Afluria®, which is manufactured by CSL Limited of Parkville, Australia, brings the number of seasonal influenza manufacturers licensed for the U.S. market to six, the FDA reports.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the six manufacturers will supply a record 132 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2007-2008 influenza season, based on current manufacturing trends.

The FDA suggested that it is best to be immunized as soon as the vaccine is available, usually in September. However, getting a flu shot any time during influenza season is also appropriate because the influenza season often peaks late.

The most commonly reported adverse events associated with Afluria® were tenderness, pain, redness and swelling at the injection site and headache, fatigue and muscle aches.

Afluria® contains inactivated influenza viruses grown in chicken eggs. People who are allergic to eggs or any other component of the vaccine should not receive Afluria®.

The vaccine is administered as a single injection in the upper arm, and is available in both a single-dose, preservative-free, pre-filled syringe and a multi-dose vial with thimerosal, a mercury derivative, as a preservative.

Herbal Medicines in Early Drug Development for the Treatment of HIV Infections and AIDS

A new review study investigated the effects of herbal medicine in patients with HIV and AIDS and found some benefit.

Researchers from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in China systematically assessed the beneficial and harmful effects of herbal medicines in people with HIV infection and AIDS.

Based on a Cochrane review and updated searches, they identified the available evidence on herbal medicines compared with placebo or antiretroviral drugs in patients with HIV infection, HIV-related disease or AIDS.

Ten randomized controlled trials, involving 571 individuals with HIV infection or AIDS, met the inclusion criteria.

The authors noted that some herbal medicines, such as IGM-1, seem to be effective in symptom improvement, but generally no significant effect on antiviral or immunity enhancement among reviewed herbs was seen.

The authors reported that combined treatment of Chinese herbal medicine, SH and antiretroviral agents showed increased antiviral benefit compared with antiretrovirals alone.

The study authors concluded that there may be beneficial effects from some of the tested herbs but more evidence from larger studies is needed to support this evidence in the future.

For more information on integrative treatment options for HIV/AIDS, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions and Comparative Effectiveness databases.

Resveratrol for Cancer Prevention

A new study investigated the clinical benefits of resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol identified in over 70 plant species including nuts, grapes, pine trees, certain vines and red wine, and found it to have cancer preventative (chemopreventative) properties.

Resveratrol is thought to play a role in the prevention of heart disease. A substantial amount of attention has been directed in recent years toward resveratrol for its potential health benefits in humans due to investigation of the French paradox that coronary heart disease mortality in France is lower than observed in other industrialized countries with a similar risk factor profile due to the frequent consumption of red wine.

Resveratrol has been shown in animal and laboratory studies to exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, antiproliferative, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Being a constituent of grapes and wines, initial work was focused on linking resveratrol to the beneficial cardiovascular effects of moderate wine intake. However, studies have expanded to examine its effects in a variety of conditions, including various cancers, bacterial infections, fungal infections, viral infections, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, diabetic polyneuropathy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute pancreatitis.

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center noted that resveratrol has been shown to possess chemopreventive properties against several cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, resveratrol has been shown to have positive effects on age longevity, lipid levels and a preventative quality against certain cancers and viral infections.

The study explained that resveratrol induces apoptosis (cell death) by up-regulating the expression of certain proteins and simultaneously down-regulating the expression of others. Resveratrol causes growth arrest at G1 and G1/S phases of cell cycle by inducing the expression of CDK inhibitors p21/WAF1/CIP1 and p27/KIP1.

Resveratrol has also been shown to reduce inflammation via inhibition of prostaglandin production, cyclooxygenase-2 activity and nuclear factor-kappaB activity. Modulation of cell signaling pathway by resveratrol explains its diverse bioactivities related with human health. Resveratrol also potentiates the apoptotic effects of cytokines, chemotherapeutic agents and gamma-radiation.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated that the main target organs of resveratrol are the liver and kidney, and it is metabolized by hydroxylation, glucuronidation, sulfation and hydrogenation.

As a chemoprevention agent, resveratrol has been shown to inhibit tumor initiation, promotion, and progression.

The review authors concluded that there is growing evidence that resveratrol can prevent or delay the onset of various cancers, heart diseases, ischemic and chemically induced injuries, pathological inflammation and viral infections.

For more information on resveratrol, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements database.

FDA: 15 New Blood Typing Tests Licensed

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed 15 new blood typing tests that were previously unavailable in the United States.

According to the FDA, the tests, known as blood grouping reagents, are used to determine the blood type of blood donors, an essential step in ensuring safe blood transfusions and organ donations for patients.

There are four blood types in the ABO blood group: A, B, AB, and O. These blood types are determined by a substance called agglutinogen that is present on the outside of the patient's red blood cells. Patients who have type AB blood are considered universal recipients because they can receive blood or blood products from any other blood type. However, these patients may only donate their blood to patients who have AB blood. Patients who have O blood are considered the universal donors because they can give blood to patients of any other blood type. However, they can only receive blood from patients who have O blood.

In addition, patients have either positive or negative blood. Patients who have a protein called D antigen on their red blood cells are considered Rh-positive. If the D antigen is absent, the patient is Rh-negative. For instance, if a patient has type A agglutinogen but no D antigen, he/she has type A-negative blood.

If mismatched blood is administered to a patient, it may cause a serious and potentially fatal reaction. To prevent such problems, people must receive compatible blood based on the results of blood typing tests.

The newly approved ALBAclone Blood Grouping Reagents include the common ABO and Rh tests, plus tests for rare blood types. The reagents are monoclonal antibodies, highly specific antibodies that ensure product uniformity and availability.

The FDA hopes that the licensing of these reagents will provide more choice for blood establishments and transfusion services and help facilitate testing for rare blood groups.

The reagents are manufactured by Alba Bioscience, Inc. of Durham, North Carolina

Vitamin C for the Common Cold: How Effective is it?

For the average, healthy person, vitamin C is unlikely to prevent the common cold. However, it may be beneficial in individuals who engage in extreme physical exercise or are exposed to cold temperatures, a new review reports.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary in the body to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels. It also aids in the absorption of iron. Dietary sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges.

Researchers reviewed the results of 30 published studies involving 11,350 people who took at least 200 milligrams of vitamin C every day. The results were published in the latest edition of the The Cochrane Library.

Based on the collective data from these studies, routine consumption of vitamin C did not reduce the risk of the common cold in the general population. Although there was a slight reduction in the severity and duration of common cold symptoms in patients who took vitamin C regularly when compared to placebo, the results were not considered significant.

However, vitamin C may help prevents colds in a subgroup of individuals. In six trials that involved a total of 642 marathon runners, skiers and soldiers on sub-arctic exercises, vitamin C supplements reduced the incidence of the common cold by nearly 50 percent.

The review authors concluded that the failure of vitamin C supplementation to reduce the incidence of colds in the normal population indicates that routine preventative treatment is not rationally justified for community use. However, evidence suggests that it could be justified in people exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise or cold environments.

Many other uses for vitamin C have been proposed, but few have been conclusively demonstrated as being beneficial in scientific studies. In particular, research in asthma, cancer and diabetes remain inconclusive, and no benefits have been found in the prevention of cataracts or heart disease.

Integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence in the prevention and/or treatment of the common cold include andrographis paniculata Nees, Kan Jang®, borage seed oil and sage. For more information about vitamin C, please visit Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements database.

Chemoimmunotherapy for Gastric Cancer